KUALA LUMPUR (May 8): A Ministry of Finance (MOF) representative on the board of the Human Resource Development Corp (HRD Corp) has called for the termination of a programme within the agency, amid alleged non-compliance in its procurement process, according to a report.

However, HRD Corp said that concerns by MOF’s Datuk Rosli Yaakub — deputy secretary, governance and monitoring under MOF’s corporate government investment companies division — over the programme, dubbed “Skills Passport”, has been resolved in the agency’s board meetings.

Rosli reportedly raised concerns that the project was being pushed through without HRD Corp’s board approval, according to his letter dated April 12 to its chairman Datuk R Rajasekharan and chief executive Datuk Shahul Hameed Dawood.

“I am the representative of the Ministry of Finance in HRD Corp and am carrying out my duties as a member of the board (of HRD Corp),” news portal The Vibes quoted Rosli as saying on Sunday (May 7).

Among concerns reportedly raised by Rosli include the potential financial implication of between RM53 million and RM159.47 million on HRD Corp to roll out the programme, which is a skills database cum search engine, The Vibes reported, citing the letter.

“During the board meeting on March 28, the Chief Executive misled the board by stating that the project would not result in any costs for HRD Corp.

“However, in a letter dated February 15, 2023 the Chief Executive informed the Ministry of Human Resources’ Deputy Chief Secretary that HRD Corp will pay Neomindz [Sdn Bhd] RM12 for every use of the Skills Passport,” the letter, dated April 12, reportedly said.

HRD Corp has reportedly signed a contract with Neomindz to implement the programme. HRD Corp will pay Neomindz RM12 for every use of the Skills Passport, according to the letter cited by the news portal.

On May 7, HRD Corp issued a statement describing the allegations on the contract and procurement process as “false and defamatory”, adding that it is committed to preserving the highest standards of ethics, transparency and integrity.

HRD Corp also assured the public and its stakeholders that it is “doing everything possible” to resolve the matter as quickly as possible.

It added it has instructed its lawyers “to initiate legal action to ensure the retraction of the article” by The Vibes, and to demand an apology from the news portal.