Minister: We’re set to use blockchain technology

SEPANG: Both the Home and Human Resources ministries are ready to use blockchain technology to ensure that the security of employment of foreign workers are protected, says Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

He said his ministry was working closely with the Human Resources Ministry to explore more ways to expedite the processes involved, including the recruitment of foreign workers, as the use of the technology was also recommended by the International Labour Organisation.

“We’ve never closed any doors of opportunities or ideas to explore new technologies, including blockchain. Both ministries are ready to explore the possibility of using all forms of technology, whether in the form of blockchain system, to ease the management of the recruitment of foreign workers.

“The government is committed to explore this kind of technology,” he said after launching the Malaysia autogate for foreign visitors at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport yesterday.

He said the ministry’s priorities now were to keep the cost of hiring foreign labour from rising and ensuring the welfare of these workers was protected.

Saifuddin Nasution also said the government was developing the Foreign Labour Demand Portal to expedite recruitment.

The system will be able to identify the demand needed in all the sectors.

“I have discussed this with our counterparts in labour source countries such as Nepal, Indonesia and Bangladesh.

“The source countries will be able to know the labour demand situation in Malaysia and allow them to prepare,” he said.

Meanwhile, he said only visitors from 10 countries would be allowed to use the autogates at KLIA.

They included those from Australia, Brunei, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, United States and United Kingdom.

He said this decision was made following a risk assessment by authorities.

However, he said subsequent assessments would be carried out to determine whether visitors from more countries should be allowed to use the facility.

“For now, we only allow (visitors from)10 countries to use the autogates. And, we will review (the need to add more) from time to time,” he said.

He added that the extension of the facilities to these countries would benefit 885,000 visitors or 27.1% of the total foreign visitors entering the country.

The passport holders of these countries must ensure their documents are valid for at least six months, complete online Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) three days before arrival in Malaysia and for first time visits, travellers are required to verify their biometrics at Immigration counters.

Earlier, Saifuddin Nasution told the Dewan Rakyat that to reduce congestion at KLIA, the government would extend the autogate facilities for foreigners from the 10 low-risk countries.