IPOH: Safety and social issue concerns have been raised regarding the increasing number of foreign workers staying in a residential apartment here by Mohd Hafez Sabri (PN – Manjoi).
Speaking during the question-and-answer session at the Perak assembly sitting on Wednesday (Sept 27), he said he received complaints from concerned residents at Bandar Meru Raya.
“I went to the residential area on Tuesday (Sept 26) and according to the residents at D’Aman Residence, the number of foreign workers staying there has been increasing,” said Mohd Hafez.
“The residents are worried about their safety, cleanliness, and crimes. This is a serious issue that needs to be addressed,” he added.
Perak human resources, health, Indian community affairs, and national integration committee chairman A. Sivanesan said a visit together with the police and Ipoh City Council will be arranged soon.
“I recently visited a factory in Lumut where they are in the midst of building hostels for 300 incoming foreign workers,” said Sivanesan.
“There is a guideline under the Human Resource Department where employers need to prepare accommodation for the workers. Some may rent residential accommodations while some will build new ones,” he added.
Sivanesan said that while there are safety and social issues, they do not come under the jurisdiction of the Department.
“However, we can investigate the matter and can advise the employer. We will pay a visit soon to the said residents,” he added.
Meanwhile, Halaman Meru Aman Residents' Association chairman Mohd Fazli Othman claimed that more than 150 foreign workers were staying at the D’Aman Residence apartments.
He said the matter had been raised with the Human Resource Department and Ipoh City Council (MBI) but no action had been taken yet.
He added that they believed more than 20 units at the apartment were being used as accomodation for these foreign workers.
“We are worried that if they keep on staying here, there might be incidents involving the local residents,” he added.
Meanwhile, the residents' safety committee member Mohammed Shafique Mohammed Hatta said his main concern was the safety of the children.
“Besides the children, I am worried about potential harassment that might happen against the women living here,” he said.
