KUALA LUMPUR – Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad were part of the Cabinet that approved the extension of the Foreign Workers Centralised Management System (FWCMS) contract to 2031, a political aide to the Human Resources Minister said, as he pushed back against their recent criticism of the system.
According to Datuk Seri Ramanan Ramakrishnan’s political secretary, Aizuddin Abd Gaffal, the approval was granted on June 24, 2024, under the Home Ministry, when both MPs were still serving in Cabinet and had full access to information and decision-making authority.
“At that time, both individuals who are now outspoken were still Cabinet members with authority, access to information, and collective responsibility in the decision-making process,” he said.
Aizuddin stressed that Cabinet members are bound by collective responsibility, questioning why concerns about alleged weaknesses in the system were not raised earlier.
“If there were indeed serious weaknesses as claimed today, why were these concerns not raised when they were at the decision-making table?” he said.
He noted that issues involving FWCMS had previously been flagged by the Public Accounts Committee, including possible overlaps with the National Integrated Immigration System, but said no objections were raised at the time.
The aide described the current criticism as inconsistent, arguing that challenging a system approved during one’s own tenure raises questions about credibility.
“Remaining silent while in power, and then becoming vocal after no longer holding responsibility, raises questions about sincerity and political hypocrisy,” he added.
Aizuddin also dismissed claims that the issue is newly emerging, calling such assertions misleading and politically motivated.
He added that any policy discussion must take into account present-day industry realities, including worker welfare concerns and calls for a more transparent and cost-effective recruitment system.
On the government’s proposed new foreign worker recruitment framework, he said it remains under evaluation with no final decision made.
“There is no final decision, no appointment, and no commitment made to any party,” he said, urging an end to what he described as attempts to shape negative perceptions against the government. – April 21, 2026