Will review migrant worker system, says Malaysian home minister

The Malaysian Home Affairs Ministry will examine the Public Accounts Committee’s (PAC) report on the shortcomings of its migrant worker management platform, said Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

Speaking to reporters in Putrajaya at a press conference on Saturday, Saifuddin said, “The ministry is committed to improving the management and welfare of foreign workers, and receptive to feedback and criticism.

“My officials will continue to review the PAC chairman’s report, and as a ministry involved in managing foreign workers, we will ensure the management process is expedited, safeguarding the welfare of foreign workers and ensuring they receive the best services.”

The Malaysian home minister then said decisions on which improvement to adopt in response to the PAC’s recommendation would be made after a thorough examination, reports The Malay Mail.

Last Wednesday, the PAC issued a report saying the government implemented the Foreign Workers Centralised Management System (FWCMS) over six years ago without ever signing a formal agreement with the operator Bestinet Sdn Bhd.

PAC Chairman Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin said the contract between Bestinet and the government was not finalised despite an acceptance letter being issued on January 12, 2018.

The parliamentary watchdog said it also uncovered weaknesses in identification control management within the system, with over two dozen unauthorised users allowed to approve employer applications for migrant workers.

The PAC also lodged a police report to initiate an investigation into possible wrongdoing in the matter.

‘Bestinet, ministry must finalise deal’

The Malaysian home ministry and Bestinet Sdn Bhd must finalise the decision on agreement and direction of the Foreign Workers Centralised Management System (FWCMS), says the country’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

PAC Chairman Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin made the call at a press conference recently, reports The Star – a Malaysian news portal.

She added, “This is among the five recommendations by the committee following its report on the management of the Foreign Workers Integrated Management System (ePPAx) and FWCMS under the human resources ministry and home ministry of Malaysia.

“The Malaysian home ministry must ensure all procurements involving information and communications technology (ICT) abide by the existing policies and laws under the National Digital Department or formerly known as Malaysian Administrative Modernisation and Management Planning Unit (Mampu).”

The Malaysian home ministry must also fix the mess that is happening in the procurement process and find a solution soon, she added.

Mas Ermieyati said the PAC also recommended that the Malaysian home ministry and human resources ministry cooperate to come up with a comprehensive strategic plan on the management of foreign workers and it should not be limited to the development of the system.

Touching on the 24 unauthorised users under FWCMS that approved applications to bring in foreign workers, which indicated flaws in the system, she said the Malaysian police must provide the latest update on the investigation.