Human Resources Minister Steven Sim said no person under his ministry will be spared if found guilty of misconduct, but proper procedures must be followed on any appointments or dismissals.

When asked for a response to calls for Human Resource Development Corporation chief executive Shahul Hamid Shaik Dawood’s suspension, Sim cited existing procedures for all government agencies or private companies.

"I raised this issue in Parliament last week, and I gave my guarantee that no one is safe (from action).

"No one will be protected, no one will be safe if they are found guilty. Action will be taken, the sternest action will be taken, including legal actions," he told reporters in a press conference in Parliament today.

On July 9, PKR MP Hassan Abdul Karim called for Shahul's suspension pending an investigation into the company based on irregularities found by the Parliament Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and the auditor-general reports.

Human Resources Minister Steven Sim

Task force

Sim said the ministry has set up a task force led by the ministry’s secretary-general, Khairul Dzaimee Daud, to discuss the recommendations made by the PAC and auditor-general reports.

“They already have a meeting, and the second meeting will be held after the parliamentary sitting ends. The task force will also look into any emerging matters during the meetings,” he said.

While reassuring that the ministry follows the proper procedures, Sim emphasised that the truth shall be revealed.

Additionally, Sim said they will give their full cooperation to the MACC pending the investigation on HRD Corp.

“I want to thank the MACC for their fast action. They set up a special task force to investigate the matter. They have even visited HRD Corp and the ministry to collect relevant documents,” he said.

The ministry lodged a report to the MACC on July 5 regarding the mismanagement of HRD Corp.

Yesterday, PAC chairperson Mas Ermieyatie Samsudin reiterated that HRD Corp has been given three months to act on recommendations made in the committee’s report.

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