KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 21): More than 7,000 Malaysian employers are in the process of being compounded for failing to register with the Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF), as required under the Pembangunan Sumber Manusia Bhd (PSMB) Act 2001.

In a statement today, HRDF said this followed investigations by the Regulatory and Enforcement Department of the Ministry of Human Resources.

Earlier this year, Human Resources Minister M Kula Segaran reminded all liable employers to register with HRDF.

"According to the law, they have already committed the offence. But going to court will be our last resort. So, employers who might have overlooked registering with the HRDF are advised to do so," said Kula Segaran.

Over the past few months, the HRDF has started taking action against liable employers who have avoided registering with the fund.

These employers can face a fine of up to RM10,000 or a jail term of up to one year, or both, upon conviction.

As of Nov 2, the fund has identified close to 17,000 employers who are potentially liable to register with HRDF.

The HRDF urged all employers to view the fund as a means to achieve a shared prosperity for employers and employees in the pursuit of a developed Malaysia.

The fund hopes that every Malaysian employee is aware that continuous learning is the key to keeping or re-gaining a good job.

"Learning and development could bring considerable benefits both to the employee and the business in which they are employed," it said.

Employers from 63 subsectors from manufacturing, services and mining and quarrying sectors are required to pay a Human Resources Development levy to promote the training and development of their Malaysian employees, apprentices and trainees.