KUALA LUMPUR, July 3 — Twenty-four unauthorised users have approved applications for the entry of foreign workers through the Foreign Workers Centralised Management System (FWCMS), said Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairman Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin.
The PAC found weaknesses in the management of ID monitoring in the FWCMS system, where two IDs were held by non-officials of the Human Resources Ministry. The matter has been referred to the Royal Malaysia Police for investigation.
She said the PAC proceedings found that the Cabinet Meeting on August 26, 2015, approved the development of the Integrated Foreign Worker Management System (ePPAx) and FWCMS, both featuring a single window concept.
“This resulted in overlapping functions among agencies in developing the foreign worker management system and a waste of public funds,” she said during a press conference at the Parliament building today.
The committee also found that as of the last PAC proceedings on March 13, 2024, the FWCMS contract had not been finalised and signed between the government and the vendor, even though the Letter of Acceptance for the development of the system was issued on January 12, 2018.
Ermieyati said the Home Affairs Ministry (KDN) informed the committee FWCMS’ vendor Bestinet Sdn Bhd had applied for a six-year contract extension and sought to raise the collection fee from RM100 to RM120.
On June 24, 2024, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said that the Cabinet had agreed to extend the contract with Bestinet for another three years.
As such, she said the PAC had given five recommendations to the government regarding the issue, including the immediate finalisation of the agreement and direction of the FWCMS system by KDN and Bestinet.
“The KDN is also recommended to ensure that any procurement related to communication and information technology is referred to the existing policies and regulations enforced by the Digital Department,” Ermieyati said.
In addition, the KDN should promptly address any confusion in the procurement process and work with Kesuma to develop a comprehensive strategic plan for managing foreign workers.
“The police should provide updates on the latest developments regarding the investigation of the 24 approved foreign worker quota applications,” she said.
— Bernama
