Letter to Editor
I refer to the letter entitled “HRDF’s RM300 fee will dent upskilling efforts among workforce” by Roslan Sharif published in Focus Malaysia on June 21, 2022.
I fully and completely agree with the writer that HRDC is trying yet again to hoodwink and rob the employers.
Lest we forget, back in 2016, the HRDC (then known as HRDF) imposed a 30% forced contribution towards a Consolidated Fund on all registered employers.
In November 2018, the Human Resources Ministry (MOHR) terminated and discontinued the practice when the HRDF came into focus when it was disclosed in June 2018 that a large amount of money in the consolidated fund was misappropriated by the former management for other than its intended purposes.
It was widely reported that the funds were used to pay huge salaries and bonuses to selective management staff, junket tours for reporters and management staff.
Following the disclosure, the CEO was removed and seven members of the board resigned and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) started investigations.
Now, four years later, it is déjà vu all over again and HRDC is trying their luck once more. When will they ever learn?
The money belongs to the employers and not HRDC and it is audacious for HRDC to ask the employers to force-contribute RM300 per trainee for each training session. It is rude, disrespectful and impudent.
As it is, the employers are already contributing one percent of their gross payroll to HRDC as levy. On top of that, HRDC collect a 4% commission from the training providers for every training conducted based on the course fees charged to the employers.
The employers are already paying huge corporate taxes beside other taxes and fees to run their business. This is blatant daylight robbery and should be stopped immediately.
Just who and what does HRDC think they are?
This is a classic case of HRDC acting as though they know what is best for the industries. That is far-fetched. It is the employers’ money and they know what to do with their own money as they have to answer to their shareholders and other stakeholders.
HRDC should beware of investigations and litigations to come. GE15 is not too far off from now.
Raaja Subramaniam.
Kajang, Selangor.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
