Pac Finds Irregularities Over Migrant Worker System Agreement

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The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has found irregularities in the Home Ministry’s issuance of a letter of acceptance before the terms and procurement method for the Foreign Workers Centralised Management System (FWCMS) were finalised.
PAC chairperson Mas Ermieyati Samsudin said the ministry failed to finalise the agreement due to disputes over service charges imposed on employers.
“The government’s failure to uphold the signed letter of acceptance and finalise the contract before its expiry has exposed it to legal action by Bestinet, which is seeking RM1.57 billion in damages,” she said in a statement today.
These findings emerged from three proceedings on the matter, which were held on Dec 10, 2024; Jan 21, 2025; and Feb 3, 2025.
Previously, it was reported that the government may have to fork out RM3.22 billion in payment to Bestinet Sdn Bhd due to issues related to the RM215 fee (per migrant worker) imposed for the Epass (work permit).
The PAC found the fee to be higher compared to an earlier agreement, which only indicated that each migrant worker would cost RM100.
“It is also higher than the rate approved by the Public-Private Partnership Unit under the Prime Minister’s Department, which was RM86 and the company only asked for RM120,” the committee had said.
Meanwhile, Mas Ermieyati (above) said that referring to the agreement signed on Sept 3, 2024, the RM215 fee comprises RM130 for recovery costs from 2018 to 2024 and RM85 for operating costs from 2025 to 2031, including equity and operational expenses.
She added that, to address issues in the FWCMS procurement process, the PAC recommends that the Home Ministry clarify the RM215 collection mechanism and payment method to Bestinet.
The ministry was also urged to outline the best approach to optimising FWCMS until 2031, given that the National Integrated Immigration System is expected to be completed by 2028.
The Home Ministry was also urged to strengthen cybersecurity measures, including system and data security, as FWCMS is managed by Bestinet.
The public can download and review the PAC’s report on the FWCMS procurement at www.parlimen.gov.my/pac.
- Bernama

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