PUTRAJAYA – The controversial firm Bestinet Sdn Bhd has had its contract renewed for another three years to oversee the intake of foreign workers in the country, but this would involve renegotiated terms.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail confirmed this following reports by several media outlets recently, saying it was a decision endorsed by the cabinet several weeks ago.
“A special committee chaired by government’s chief secretary Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali will be formed to negotiate the terms and conditions of Bestinet’s contract,” he said.
He added that representatives from the Home Ministry, Human Resources Ministry, and Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) would be on the committee.
“The discussions will focus on four key principles: the application process, reducing migration costs for foreign workers, foreign workers’ welfare, and employers’ interests,” he explained.
In 2022, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission raided Bestinet on suspicion of colluding with syndicates to monopolise the recruitment of Bangladeshi workers in the country.
During the raid, several executives were questioned as part of an investigation into the selection of 25 Bangladeshi recruitment agencies authorised to send workers to Malaysia.
Bestinet operates as the government’s Foreign Workers Centralised Management System (FWCMS), described as a “comprehensive” system managed by the Immigration Department for processing visa applications from migrant workers.
Previously, several quarters called for the government to halt Bestinet’s management of FWCMS and to reassess the system. – June 24, 2024