HRDF top executive and deputies pocketed RM1.25mil in bonuses leading up to general election — report

PETALING JAYA (April 9): The Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF) reportedly paid a top executive and three deputies at the fund with bonuses totalling RM1.25 million and salary increments leading up to the last general election.

The Star reports that the four high-ranking officers allegedly took their share at least two months before the general election last year.

For the year prior to that, in 2016, the executive’s bonus was a mere RM191,000. While the bonus for the year 2017, which was paid out just before the election, the bonus received was RM616,000, more than triple the amount for the year prior.

In 2015, the publication reports that the executive’s individual bonus package was RM60,000, making the 2017 bonus a whopping 10 times the amount, just two years later.

It was reported that the three deputies each received RM211,000, on top of the corporate bonuses they received. 

In total, the four received RM1.25mil.

At present, the executive and one deputy are no longer with the fund, while two of the deputies remain within the HRDF.

The report said that the executive also received a salary increase of 75% within the year 2017. From RM32,000 a month to RM47,000 a month in March and subsequently to RM56,000 a month just four months later.

The publication cites documents, which reveal that Datuk Seri Richard Riot Jaem, the Human Resources Minister at the time, approved the performance bonus on Feb 28 last year.

HRDF’s establishment and benefits committee (EBC) was not informed about it.

The HRDF Act states that a minister may only give directives to the board, but not bypass the board to give approval.

In January this year, it was reported that the sale of RM154mil of pro­perty in Bangsar South had proceeded without the approval of the board of directors and investment panel. Approval had been given for ano­ther property in the area, but HRDF reportedly made payments for the Bangsar South pro­perty with RM40mil paid before the tax invoice date, while the investment panel was informed of the switch in properties five months after the first tranche of RM15.4mil was paid.