KUALA LUMPUR, July 16 – The Human Resource Development Corp (HRD Corp) has sent a warning letter to The Edge Communications Sdn Bhd and one of its authors, alleging defamation in the publication of the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) findings and the Auditor-General’s Report 20204.
The letter was sent by law firm Amrit & Company, which represents HRD Corp. The edge – the business newspaper owned by The Edge Communications – reported this today.
According to the news report, HRD Corp accused the media company of damaging its reputation and that of its employees by misinterpreting the findings of the National Audit Department in two articles.
One of them was titled “PAC points out dubious real estate dealings of HRD Corp” and was published on July 4, while the other was titled “Frankly speaking: Total governance violation at HRD Corp” and was published in the July 8-14 issue of The Edge Malaysia weekly.
The agency, which is under the Ministry of Human Resources, reportedly denied allegations of audit errors, misuse of funds and procedural violations.
Assurance was given that all investments were made in accordance with the Human Resources Development Fund Act 2001 and were properly documented.
They clarified that their investment committee was not obliged to report its decisions to the board.
“The disputed statements are false, misguided and misleading,” the law firm was quoted as saying in its legal letter by The edge.
It reportedly said the articles were published without review by HRD Corp. and demanded that the articles be removed and a formal written apology published in two English-language newspapers and The edge Website within 48 hours.
Edge Media Group CEO and publisher Datuk Ho Kay Tat reportedly insisted on publishing the two controversial articles and vowed to defend the company against any legal action by HRD Corp, arguing that the matters were of public interest.
