DON'T KILL THE FISH IN THE MOAT BELOW

Lately, I am perplexed by the multitude of news floating around about HRDF. I am wondering whether there is a new phenomenon of trial by media using a body of hearsay and evidence in the social media? Could there be disgruntled people, who didn't get what they wanted, capitalising the current situation? Graphical charts showing million of ringgit changing hands from government bodies through HRDF to Training Providers (TPs) seems to be the kind of justification for all this.

Most people who read these postings tend to put on their 'Edward de Bono's emotional RED hat and immediately conjure up visions of wrongdoings. After all, HRDF is said to have collected RM700 million in Levie from employers and another RM500 million from other government bodies in 2017 alone. And that's a lot of money if these figures are true!

Like most people, I stood on the sideline watching the spectacle unfold, asking myself whether all the issues brought up in the social media are part of the problem or part of the solution for the national HR community. Then I remember the Chinese proverb,

"A fire set to a city gate kills the fish in the moat down below."

Putting on Edward de Bono's black hat of logic and discernment, I realised with sadness that the training providers and trainers are the fish in the moat down below.

Studying the numerous accusations that are being brought up against the HRDF and its leaders, I am concluding that these accusations are primarily on projects awarding process, funding distribution and claims that project awarding process was abused by HRDF and Training Providers.

I can't help but ask if these allegations imply that the integrity and reputation of all TPs is now at stake. Like what Malaysians would say, "Semua ini tak masuk akal" (which translates to all these don't make sense). This brings me down to the question I like to address at TPs, Associations and Federations.

The answer is obvious because there is a system in place in HRDF that addresses these and ensure fair play. So how can someone abuse this system without others discovering it?

Yes, there may be slip up here and there and because of the quantum of the funds as in 2017. Even an insignificant mistake, say 0.1%, calculates to RM1 million.

My suggestion for us all is to move forward. Don't burn the house down because someone spotted a termite inside.

This is what I suggest we do:

1. If you have evidence of any wrongdoing, then make a formal complaint to HRDF Board. If necessary and if you can substantiate with evidence, then consider a police report to bring perpetrators to justice.
2. If you know there are loopholes in the system, then point them out so that the system can be fixed and improved.

The rest should be considered 'fake news' that cannot be verified. Please don't support people who play with the public's emotion to fuel their own hidden agenda.

HRDF was one of the first bodies to start the Integrity Pledge. When it was mooted by the HRDF CE, many of the Trainers and TP's objected to it. If you are a Trainer or TP, ask yourself, have you signed the Integrity Pledge?

Remember the proverb, 

"A fire set to a city gate kills the fish in the moat down below."