HRD Corp names Mohamed Shamir as new CEO, six months after Syed Alwi’s short-lived tenure

Thursday 17 Sep 2026

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KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 23): The Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp) has appointed Datuk Mohamed Shamir Abdul Aziz as its new chief executive, effective Friday.

The appointment comes barely six months after the government agency for human capital development named former banker Syed Alwi Mohamed Sultan as chief executive in July 2025, with no official statement from HRD Corp on whether he had resigned or been removed.

Mohamed Shamir previously served as managing director of national microfinance institution Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM).

HRD Corp, in a press release, said Mohamed Shamir brings extensive leadership experience across organisational management, strategic execution and institutional development. Shamir holds a Master’s in Urban and Regional Planning from the International Islamic University Malaysia.

“His appointment comes as HRD Corp continues to advance its mandate in driving skills development, workforce training and human capital sustainability, in support of national priorities and the evolving needs of employers and the workforce,” the agency said.

Prior to Syed Alwi's tenure, Datuk Shahul Hameed Dawood stepped down as HRD Corp’s chief executive in April 2025 after five years at the helm.

Shahul Hameed’s departure came after HRD Corp was thrust into the spotlight when the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and the Auditor General’s (AG) Report 2024 uncovered alleged irregularities at the agency prior to 2022.

The AG’s report highlighted questionable disbursements of RM51.69 million in training grants to 3,726 individuals under the Gerak Insan Gemilang reskilling initiative, with 234 participants flagged as suspicious for having identical names and identification numbers.

It also raised concerns over a RM120 million upfront deposit paid for the proposed purchase of Menara Ikhlas — almost 60% of the intended RM202.5 million acquisition price — although the deposit was subsequently refunded after the deal was aborted.

Further issues included outstanding levies totalling RM205.42 million, multiple levy applications approved after training dates had passed, and RM4.81 million in unused 2020 government grants that were not returned.

The AG also noted 29 investment transactions with unrealised losses of RM49.38 million, alongside HRD Corp’s heavy exposure to equities of corporate groups linked to prominent businessmen, prompting questions over concentration risk, investment rationale and governance oversight.

The PAC separately questioned the use of RM3.77 billion for “baffling” investment activities, citing unclear justification for the strategy.

Following the revelations, then human resources minister Steven Sim ordered HRD Corp to lodge a report with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, and Shahul Hameed was placed on administrative leave in July 2024.

However, in November 2024, Sim confirmed that Shahul Hameed had returned to work, without clarifying whether he had been cleared of any wrongdoing, leaving questions over the outcome of the probe and the agency’s internal review processes.

HRD Corp later named its chief strategy officer, Rony Ambrose Gobilee, as "covering chief executive" in April 2025 before Syed Alwi was appointed to the role in July.

HRD Corp's main mandate is to collect levies from more than 100,000 registered employers to fund staff training and upskilling programmes.

Edited ByS Kanagaraju

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