KUALA LUMPUR: The Human Resources Ministry has submitted a report to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) regarding issues highlighted in the Auditor General's Report and the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), which were presented in Parliament yesterday (July 4).
Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Khairul Dzaimee Daud said the move was in line with recommendations by the auditor general (Datuk Wan Suraya Wan Mohd Radzi) for the ministry to submit a report to relevant enforcement agencies after the government-linked entity failed its audit.
"Just now, I went to the MACC headquarters (in Putrajaya) and submitted a report containing the issues raised by the auditor general, along with feedback from the ministry and HRD Corp, an agency under our ministry that was mentioned in the Auditor General's Report (LKAN 2/2024).
"The MACC has assured that they would conduct a thorough and professional investigation into the matter," he told a press conference today.
He said the report for MACC was submitted under the instructions of Human Resources Minister Steven Sim.
At the end of the press conference, Khairul Dzaimee initially refused to take questions, stating; "It is not appropriate for me to answer any questions because a report has already been made to the enforcement agency (MACC). If I were to answer any questions, it would disrupt the investigation or jeopardise it."
However, when asked if any officers in HRD Corp were being temporarily relieved of duties, he responded; "There is no temporary suspension of officers. Temporary suspension only occurs if there is an internal or domestic inquiry.
"Since this is an investigation by the MACC, there is no need for any officials to be suspended or temporarily relieved of duties."
Earlier today, Sim in a statement said that reports detailing the findings in the Auditor General's Report and PAC will be submitted to the MACC.
He said he had instructed Khairul Dzaimee and HRD Corp chief executive Datuk Shahul Dawood to prepare a report for the MACC regarding the AG's findings, which focused on HRD Corp's operations from 2019 to last year.
"The ministry takes seriously the reports presented by the Auditor General's Department and the PAC in the parliament yesterday (July 4)."
Among the alleged mismanagements stated in the report was the Gerak Insan Gemilang (GIG) training scheme, which was attended by 3,726 participants, some of whom did so up to 16 times, costing the HRD Corp RM51.69 million.
The report further highlighted irregularities in the deposit payment for the purchase of Menara Ikhlas in Putrajaya totalling RM120 million, citing non-compliance with agreement clauses despite the deposit being refunded.
Meanwhile, the PAC in its report found that the investment panel of HRD Corp had failed to report substantial investment activities to its board of directors, resulting in a lack of oversight.
It was also revealed that there was also no Bank Negara Malaysia representative as a member panel, which is a violation of the Human Resources Development (HRD) Act 2001.