KUALA LUMPUR, 1 July 2026 (The Capital Post) – Pressure is mounting on HRD Corp after three of Malaysia’s leading training industry associations jointly demanded answers over what they describe as inconsistencies in the implementation of the Vetri Madani initiative, with the agency yet to publicly respond to a series of questions that have fuelled growing unease across the training industry.
The Malaysian Association for Training Providers (MATPRO), the Malaysian Association of Professional Trainers and Coaches (MAPTaC), and the Malaysian Bumiputra Training Association (MBTA) have jointly written to HRD Corp Chief Executive Dato’ Mohamed Shamir Abdul Aziz, with a copy extended to Human Resources Minister Dato’ Sri Ramanan Ramakrishnan, seeking urgent clarification over governance, transparency, eligibility criteria and the selection process for the Vetri Madani initiative. The associations said they have been unable to answer mounting queries from their members due to the absence of official clarification from HRD Corp.
The concerns intensified after training providers discovered that at least one newly established company had already conducted a Vetri Madani training programme involving more than 300 participants last week. The development has prompted industry players to question how the company was selected and whether the evaluation process was carried out consistently against the criteria expected by the industry.
While the associations have not alleged any wrongdoing by the company concerned, they said the development raises legitimate questions about the execution of the programme and reinforces the need for HRD Corp to provide a transparent explanation of how training providers were assessed, shortlisted and appointed.
According to the joint letter, the associations are seeking clarification on why several established and experienced HRD Corp-registered training providers were apparently overlooked while newly established companies were selected to deliver Vetri Madani programmes. They also questioned the timeline for the awards, the evaluation methodology, and the governance framework underpinning the initiative.
The associations further queried why newly established training providers, which traditionally would have been required to meet a minimum operating period before participating in HRD Corp grant initiatives, were reportedly allowed to submit proposals under Vetri Madani and PACE. They questioned whether the previous governance requirements had been relaxed and, if so, under what authority.
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Another concern relates to the submission process. According to the associations, HRD Corp initially informed providers that only invited organisations were eligible to submit proposals. However, the process was subsequently opened to non-invited providers through hard-copy submissions, raising concerns over consistency, transparency and document management.
The associations also claimed that several members who later sought confirmation from HRD Corp regarding their submissions were informed that there were no clear records identifying which organisations had submitted proposals or through which submission channels. They said this has further eroded confidence in the administration of the initiative.
Despite the concerns, the associations reiterated their support for national workforce development programmes and said their intention is to strengthen confidence in HRD Corp’s initiatives through greater transparency and accountability. They have requested a written response within 14 days and expressed their readiness to engage directly with HRD Corp to resolve the issues.
The matter has also drawn attention from within the wider training fraternity. Industry leader YH Soo Hoo publicly commended the leadership of MATPRO, MAPTaC and MBTA for taking a united stand in representing the interests of training providers while advocating for fair and transparent governance across the industry.
As of publication, HRD Corp has yet to issue a public response to the concerns raised by the three associations. With Vetri Madani programmes already underway and questions continuing to emerge over the selection of training providers, industry stakeholders are now looking to HRD Corp to explain the basis of its decisions and restore confidence in one of Malaysia’s flagship workforce development initiatives. – The Capital Post.
