KUALA LUMPUR: It is unjust to accuse anyone of wrongdoing regarding the Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp) without concrete evidence or formal charges, said Human Resources Minister Steven Sim.
"I would like to stress that we have submitted reports to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to address any misconduct, particularly those highlighted in the audit findings.
"We will take firm action against anyone found guilty.
"Not only will we take disciplinary action, including dismissal, but we will also pursue legal action, including imprisonment and other penalties.
"However, until the MACC and relevant authorities issue their final reports or decisions, I believe it is unfair to point fingers at anyone, especially when there were no charges, whether by the police or in court," he said during the ministry's committee-level debate on the 2025 Supply Bill in the Dewan Rakyat today.
He said the ministry, however, would not compromise if anyone is found guilty.
He was responding to a query from RSN Rayer (PH-Jelutong) on the ministry's plans to ensure that governance measures are in place to prevent similar issues from recurring.
Meanwhile, Sim also confirmed that HRD Corp chief executive officer Datuk Shahul Hameed Shaik Dawood, who went on temporary leave to facilitate the MACC investigation, has returned to work.
He said Shahul had taken leave to give the graft-busting agency space to conduct its probe.
"To assist and fully cooperate with the MACC and ensure there is no interference, the CEO of HRD Corp took leave when the MACC came to take documents and so on.
"After this period, he returned to his duties, and I believe we cannot deny that everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
"No member or individual from HRD Corp has been charged in court.
"Even if someone is charged later, I believe our lawyers would not suggest that they take leave or resign if they were being investigated from the start."
Previously, the investments made by HRD Corp had come under scrutiny after the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) revealed that a sum of RM3.77 billion in levy collections was used for the purpose.
HRD Corp is responsible for administering the human resources development fund and collecting a levy to promote the training and development of employees, apprentices, and trainees.
According to the PAC, HRD Corp was not an investment institution, and such activities could be dangerous and put HRD Corp at risk of huge losses.