Graft busters seize more documents from HRDF office
PETALING JAYA: Graft busters have seized documents from the Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF) in its probe on fraudulent training claims to the tune of millions of ringgit.
It is learnt that some of the documents were also related to a four-year allocation totalling RM150mil made in 2016 for data analytics training.
The approval of the allocation was allegedly made without the knowledge of the board of directors.
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) also seized documents of fictitious claims by certain training providers for training purportedly held in several parts of the country.
“The MACC is also investigating the inflated billings that were allegedly done in collusion with HRDF staff.
“We have recorded statements from several people and investigations are ongoing,” sources said.
In January, the Bukit Aman Commercial Crimes Investigation Department (CCID) also raided HRDF and seized documents as it dug deeper into allegations of abuse of power, criminal breach of trust and misappropriation of funds in HRDF.
In November last year, Human Resources Minister M. Kulasegaran said staff and management personnel were running HRDF “as if it was their own company” and that the management had in some instances exceeded authority and approved projects beyond its approval limits.
The Star in January highlighted the purchase of a RM154mil property in Bangsar South which was done without the approval of the board of directors and investment panel.
Approval was given for another property in the same area but HRDF went on to make payments for the Bangsar South property with some RM40mil allegedly paid before the tax invoice date.
The investment panel was only informed of the switch of property purchased five months after the first tranche of RM15.4mil was paid.