He said this move has indirectly affected efforts to enhance worker skills nationwide, Sinar Harian reported.

“The revelation by the PAC is indeed shocking because funds that should be reserved strictly for training programmes to further enhance worker skills are being used for other purposes.

“We are aware that in terms of skills, our workers are still at an unsatisfactory level, so this revelation is indeed very disappointing.

“We hope this matter is thoroughly investigated as a lesson for the future so that it does not happen again,” he told the Malay daily following the PAC’s disclosure that RM3.77 billion from employer levy collections had been used by HRD Corp for investments.

Kamarul also suggested that HRD Corp open applications for training programmes to trade unions and employees themselves, instead of just being through employers.

“MTUC has received information from members that they have worked for 10 years at a company but have never been sent to any skill enhancement programmes or courses.

“We believe that skill enhancement should go hand in hand with technological advancement,” he said.