PUTRAJAYA: Datuk Sri Ganes, who appeared in a viral video questioning the allocation of funds under the Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF), went to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) headquarters here on Tuesday (June 12) with evidence of the abuse.
The SG Education Group chief executive officer brought with him the evidence that he alleged supported his claim that about RM300mil of HRDF funds was allegedly misappropriated by a board member.
He said that he came forward as he wanted MACC to do a proper investigation on the matter.
“When I found out about this, I feel that it is unfair. For me, it is simple, I want to know whether there was anything unfair (in the allocation of funds).
“This matter needed clarifying as soon as possible to avoid those involved getting away from the law.
“What’s most important is that the millions of ringgit that were embezzled belong to the people of Malaysia, and it needs to be returned to us,” he told the media.
In the viral video, which took place at a town hall meeting with Human Resources Minister M. Kulasegaran on June 7, Sri Ganes spoke about the conflict of interest of the HRDF board member.
“Are you aware that one of your board members is also a training provider? The position brings conflict of interest, as it allows the board member to channel the contracts to his own companies,” he was seen as saying.
Kulasegaran can be seen saying that if the allegations were true, the board members involved will be gone by Monday (June 11).
On Tuesday, Kulasegaran announced that three HRDF board members voluntarily resigned, leaving only 11.
It was reported that HRDF CEO Datuk CM Vignaesvaran Jeyandran said the board members were appointed by former Human Resources minister Datuk Seri Richard Riot.
Kulasegaran had also said that HRDF CEO Vignaesvaran be should be given a chance.
The two-hour town hall meeting in the video also saw training providers complaining about lack of transparency on tenders and questionable quality of training providers commissioned by HRDF.
While Sri Ganes was at MACC, Malaysia Training Providers Association (Matpa) founder and president RA Thiagaraja appeared at the MACC headquarters to deny his association’s involvement in the alleged misappropriation of funds.
“It’s good that he (Sri Ganes) has made his report to the MACC. Let the authorities investigate and decide whether there was anything inappropriate at HRDF,” he told the media.
Thiagaraja was a former board member of HRDF, and sent in his resignation letter on Friday (June 8) because he felt disturbed by the allegations.
“I am a man of integrity and these allegations are not right, which is why I resigned,” he added.
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