The chief executive officer (CEO) of the Employment Recruitment Incentives Programme (PenjanaKerjaya) was among two of its top-ranking officials detained in connection with allegations of false claim submission and embezzlement of funds involving the hiring-incentive scheme.
The MACC detained the 40-year-old woman in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday (July 17) and released her after her statement was recorded, TheStar Online reported.
Investigation into the misappropriation of PenjanaKerjaya funds amounting to RM100 million involved 67 companies, while 36 accounts with a total value of more than RM7 million have been frozen.
Meanwhile, PenjanaKerjaya’s 41-year-old company director was remanded for four days until July 21.
MACC’s senior director of investigation Hishamuddin Hashim confirmed the arrests that were revealed by sources.
According to TheStar Online, the duo was believed to have submitted invoices with false details to the Social Security Organisation (Socso) for training programmes under the hiring incentive scheme that was introduced by the government in 2020.
MOHR staff not under probe
Meanwhile, Human Resources Minister M Saravanan assured that no one from his ministry had abused their powers or was involved in any wrongdoing in relation to this matter.
“No one from my ministry or Socso is being investigated.
“Many employees are helping MACC with investigations and that may take up time in providing the documents that will aid in their investigations,” he said.
Saravanan clarified that Ops Hire was a joint investigation between MACC and Socso, which implied that the ministry was among the complainants that may have initiated the investigations that led to the setting up of the operation.
Yesterday, MACC confirmed that 40 people have been remanded to assist with investigations which started on July 13.
No raids
Socso's chief communications and corporate affairs officer Izad Raya issued a statement yesterday to clarify reports that 40 Human Resources Ministry employees were picked up during a raid.
He said no raids were made at the ministry or Socso and regretted that it was not contacted in advance to confirm the facts before the news was published.
Izad said although the portal had corrected the facts in the news later, the initial report had gone viral on social media and WhatsApp.
The initial news had stated that Socso employees were detained by the MACC in Ops Hire, related to false PenjanaKerjaya claims.
Izad asserted that Socso always upheld integrity when helping target groups in need. - Mkini
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