PAC summons Sivakumar for questioning on Nov 2 - Mas Ermieyati

KUALA LUMPUR - The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has confirmed that it will summon Human Resources Minister V Sivakumar on Nov 2.

Its chairperson, Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin said Sivakumar was summoned to clarify PAC's inquiries regarding the management and finances of the Human Resources Development Corporation (HRD Corp).

She said a representative from the Finance Ministry within HRD Corp has also been summoned to appear on Nov 1.

She said the decision to call both witnesses was made because their names were mentioned in the initial proceedings and to ensure fairness.

"I also want to clarify to the media that all PAC proceedings are subject to PM 85 PPMMDR, and the information obtained is under the Official Secrets Act 1972 (Act 88).

“With regards to that, I am disappointed with the actions of the Scoop news portal on Oct 24, which published a Malay article titled ‘PAC bimbang kurang pemantauan dalam HRD Corp’ using unverified sources,” she said at a press conference at the Parliament building today.

The Malay headline can be translated as “PAC worried over lack of oversight within HRD Corp”.

Last week, Mas Ermieyati said that the committee would start proceedings involving HRD Corp's training programmes and fund management.

She added that even though the issue was not reported in the 2022 National Audit Report, PAC could exercise its authority under the Rules of the Dewan Rakyat for investigations.

Furthermore, PAC has also summoned the HRD Corp chief executive officer Datuk Shahul Dawood and the Human Resources Ministry deputy secretary-general (Policy and International) Amran Ahmad on Monday. - Awani