KUALA LUMPUR: Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp) has appointed Datuk Rusli Jaafar (pic) as its new chairman, effective April 1.
In a statement Wednesday (April 15), HRD Corp said Rusli previously served as chief executive officer of the Malaysia Co-operative Societies Commission (SKM) from 2022 to 2025, after joining the agency, formerly known as the Co-operative Development Department of Malaysia, in 1993.
With more than 32 years of public sector experience, he has led institutional strengthening initiatives, driven organisational transformation and expanded socio-economic development efforts.
Rusli holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (Hons) degree from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) and played a key role in strengthening the financial and economic sectors as strategic drivers of inclusive and sustainable national development.
"Under his leadership, SKM recorded encouraging growth. As of December 2025, total assets of Malaysia's co-operative movement under SKM were estimated at RM186bil, with shares and fees exceeding RM18bil, reflecting the sector's significant role in the country's socio-economic development.
"By 2025, outstanding financing under the SKM Revolving Capital Fund (TMP-SKM) had been reduced to RM11.33mil from RM20.67mil previously," the statement said.
It added that in 2024, registrations of co-operatives under SKM exceeded 1,000 for the first time in a year, compared with an earlier average of about 600 annually, following intensified awareness and promotional programmes.
SKM also obtained Clean Audit Certificates for its financial statements for the years ended Dec 31, 2022, 2023 and 2024.
HRD Corp said Rusli's contributions had also been recognised through several Excellent Service Awards, while his appointment reflects the agency's commitment to strengthening its mandate in skills development, workforce training and human capital sustainability, in line with national priorities and the evolving needs of employers and workers. - Bernama
