COMMENT | Massive migrant labour recruiting issues, cops must probe

COMMENT | On July 3, 2024, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) led by Masjid Tanah MP Mas Ermieyati Samsudin reported that the migrant labour recruitment system under the Home Ministry was operating for six years without being formalised in a contract.

The Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4 Center) is appalled at these findings as as well as other related issues raised by the PAC.

C4 Center calls for further investigations to be made, for those found responsible to be held accountable, and for Parliament to introduce the necessary good governance reforms as a matter of utmost urgency.

The Foreign Workers Centralised Management System (FWCMS) is a crucial aspect of migrant labour recruitment in Malaysia, as the liaison for 5,400 recruitment agencies.

It was reported that the letter of acceptance for the FWCMS was issued on Jan 12, 2018, but the contract remained unsigned between the government and the service provider, Bestinet Sdn Bhd, up to March 13, 2024, implicating the Home Ministry in violations of standard government procurement as well as public-private partnership procedures.

Additionally, the PAC was told that 24...