PETALING JAYA: Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp) chief executive Datuk Shahul Hameed Dawood has volunteered to take leave whilst investigations by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) into the company are ongoing.
Shahul in a statement said, "I would like to inform you that I have volunteered to take leave whilst investigations by MACC are ongoing. I remain steadfast in my commitment to HRD Corp.
"While I am away, the organisation will maintain all processes as usual and regular operations will continue to run smoothly to ensure there is no disruption to our services.
"Thank you for your support and understanding," he added.
According to reports, the chairman and board members of HRD Corp have been informed of Shahul's leave.
It was previously reported that there were calls for Shahul to go on garden leave pending MACC investigations.
On July 9, Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin and Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Abdul Karim told the Dewan Rakyat that the move was necessary to restore public confidence following the findings in the Auditor-General’s Report 2/2024 and by Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
Hassan was quoted as saying that Shahul should be suspended or terminated, as he was on the board of directors and investment panel.
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On Wednesday (July 17), Human Resources Minister Steven Sim said that he would not protect any HRD Corp officials during the investigation.
“Whether appointing or terminating someone, whether in a government-linked company or a private corporation, there is a procedure for termination.
“When a case is under the MACC’s investigation, it’s not about terminating officials in the corporation; it involves a criminal offence. For the first time ever, the MACC took immediate action by initiating a probe within 24 hours of reports published by the A-G and PAC.
“I will not protect anyone, and no one is safe if they are guilty. This will do justice to this issue,” he was quoted as saying during a press conference in Parliament on Thursday (July 18).
The A-G’s Report in early July had revealed irregularities in the HRD Corp, including a revelation by the PAC of levy collection totalling RM3.77bil from employers using HRD Corp in various investment activities.
