PUTRAJAYA: Unity government spokesman Fahmi Fadzil said irregularities highlighted in reports by the Auditor General's Department and Public Accounts Committee (PAC) about the Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp) are not like the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) scandal.

He said the issues must be examined first and that members of parliament were expected to debate the matter in the Dewan Rakyat next week.

"We do not yet have full information on the issues related to HRD Corp.

"We need further investigation and to allow members of parliament to debate and the human resources minister to provide answers in Parliament.

"We do not have complete information yet to provide an answer. It is not yet time for us to make any comparisons or decisions."

He said this at a press conference here today when asked if the HRD Corp issue was similar to the 1MDB scandal.

The Auditor General's Report revealed yesterday (July 4) that the Gerak Insan Gemilang (GIG) training scheme that had 3,726 participants had cost HRD Corp RM51.69 million. Some participants attended up to 16 times.

The report also highlighted irregularities in the deposit payment process for the purchase of Menara Ikhlas, totalling RM120 million, citing non-compliance with agreement clauses even though the deposit was refunded.

The PAC's report revealed that HRD Corp's investment panel failed to report a substantial number of investment activities to its board of directors, leading to a lack of oversight over investment activities.

It was also revealed that the panel did not have a Bank Negara Malaysia representative, a violation of the Human Resources Development Act 2001.

Earlier today, the Human Resources Ministry submitted a report to the MACC about the issues highlighted in the two reports presented in Parliament.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/07/1072758/fahmi-hrd-corp-issue-not-1mdb-scandal