Questions have been raised on MIC's appointment of the new chief executive officer of the Human Resource Development Fund (HRDF).

Malaysiakini quoted senior DAP leader P Ramasamy saying that Human Resources Minister M Saravanan might have "gone overboard" in appointing businessman Shahul Hameed Dawood, who is reportedly aligned to controversial Muslim preacher Zakir Naik in the past, to the post.

"The question is the appointment of Shahul.

"We are not sure of his credentials and whether he has the necessary expertise to provide the leadership to an organisation that was investigated for fraudulent claims in the recent past," the Penang Deputy Chief Minister I was quoted saying.

Shahul is the founder of My Events International, and he will be taking over in HRDF next week, replacing Elanjelian Venugopal.

Elanjelian, along with HRDF chairperson Noor Farida Ariffin and four other board members, reportedly had their contracts prematurely terminated by the Human Resources Ministry early this month.

Critics of Shahul's appointment to the post pointed out that he was the principal organiser of a series of events that featured Naik, in Malaysia, in 2016.

The preacher, notorious for his contentious speeches, including about other religions, is now banned from giving talks in Malaysia.

Saravanan, meanwhile, has defended Shahul's appointment, saying it was on grounds that he was the grandson of SOK Ubaidullah Kadir Basha, one of the founders of MIC, who subsequently served as its vice-president and permanent chairperson.

Therefore, Shahul was appointed in remembrance of his grandfather, who has "contributed much" to the Indian community in Malaysia, Saravanan, who is also MIC deputy president, reportedly told The Malaysian Insight.

Ramasamy, however, dismissed the argument, further urging MIC to rescind Shahul's appointment and find someone else more worthy of the post.

HRDF has previously faced claims of alleged misappropriation of RM300 million in funds, some of which were allegedly diverted to purchase properties and pay salaries and bonuses of a select few.


Source: Malaysiakini, TMI