The ministry’s secretary-general Khairul Dzaimee Daud said suspensions would only be imposed if the ministry launches an internal investigation of the matter.

“Since the investigation is being conducted by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), there is no need for any (HRD Corp) officers to be suspended from their duties,” he was reported as saying by Bernama.

Khairul was speaking to reporters after lodging the MACC report in relation to findings by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and the national audit department involving HRD Corp.

The 2024 auditor-general’s (A-G) report released yesterday recommended that the human resources ministry refer HRD Corp’s management to the enforcement agencies after the company failed its audit.

It said the actions and decisions of its management did not comply with procedure and failed to protect the interests necessary for achieving HRD Corp’s objectives.

PAC also revealed that the company’s investment panel had not reported its investment activities appropriately to its board of directors, with levies collected “aggressively” used for high-risk investments.

Similarly, the A-G’s report said HRD Corp had amended its key performance indicator goals for 2020 to 2023 without the approval of its board of directors.