PUCHONG: The Human Resources Ministry, through the Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp), has collected a record-breaking amount in levy, says Steven Sim.
"Last year, HRD Corp once again broke records with the highest levy collection in its 32-year history, reaching RM2.3bil in 2024 compared to RM2.1bil in 2023.
"For us, the mandate is clear; it is not just to collect levy, but we want to ensure that the levy is fully utilised," said the Human Resource Minister.
He said this during his speech at the joint Chinese New Year open house organised by the Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp) and Human Resources Ministry at SJK (C) Sin Ming Puchong on Sunday (Feb 9).
Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo, Human Resources Ministry secretary-general Datuk Azman Mohd Yusof, HRD Corp chairman Datuk Abu Huraira Abu Yazid and China's Ambassador to Malaysia, Ouyang Yujing, were also present at the event.
Moving forward, the Ministry also aims to boost business efficiency, including expediting grant approvals, added Sim.
"Under the ministry’s Reengineering Policy, we previously processed levy claims from employers in one week, but this year, we aim to reduce this time to one hour.
"As for training providers, if it used to take seven days, this year, we are targeting only three days," he said.
"This is our aspiration under the present administration under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim," he said.
Sim said that all agencies and departments under the Human Resources Ministry, including HRD Corp, have implemented management reforms to provide the best services to stakeholders.
Some 1,000 participants attended the Chinese New Year open house, including HRD Corp’s stakeholders, which included employer groups, industry associations, trainers, training providers and the public.
Among the event's highlights was HRD Corp's presentation of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) contributions to 20 organisations and NGOs.
Guests were entertained with various performances, including a lion dance and were treated with various delicacies.
Among the activities at the event were the Chinese calligraphy workshop, lantern-making workshop and the Chinese Knot Art workshop.
A cultural corner was also set up, where Chinese arts, performances, and heritage displays were showcased.
