KOTA KINABALU: The ongoing Digital Registration Programme for Foreign Workers in Sabah should prioritise registering undocumented workers first rather than burdening them with high fees, says Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan.
Expressing disappointment over the imposition of hefty registration charges, the Deputy Chief Minister I stressed that the programme was designed to be free of charge to encourage voluntary participation.
“The plan was to invite everyone, regardless of status, to register first. We initially said it would be free to encourage people to come forward,” said Kitingan, who heads the Special Cabinet Committee on Digital Registration of Foreign Nationals.
However, he recently discovered that those managing the programme had started imposing fees for registration, contradicting the government’s original approach.
“They were not supposed to charge for the initial registration. Suddenly, I hear they are imposing hefty fees, this is not what I intended. I am disappointed,” Kitingan said in a Facebook post Thursday (March 20).
He said although he had learnt that the charges have been reduced, he remained concerned.
“I do not know how much (was the reduction), but they have come down. My personal stand is that we need the data first, register them, even at our cost, because we must have a complete record,” he added.
Now in its second year, Sabah’s Digital Registration Programme has uncovered a heavy dependence on undocumented foreign workers, particularly in the oil palm plantation sector.
A pilot exercise revealed that over half of the industry’s workforce, including those in government-linked companies, were working illegally.
“Tens of thousands of workers are needed in plantations, yet many are undocumented. That is why we must register them first to assess the situation before making any further decisions,” Kitingan said.
As of April last year, the Sabah Integrated Management of Foreign Workers and Non-Residents (SWIMS) system, operated by GLC Smart Sabah, had recorded 39,276 individuals since its launch in September 2022.
This includes 21,994 workers in agriculture and construction, along with 17,282 dependents.
The system uses biometric data, facial recognition, and personal information to profile foreign workers.
Kitingan wants the data collection process to lead to a structured annual renewal system for legal employment.
“This data is crucial for decision-making. I will bring this up at our next meeting to ensure a proper system is in place,” he said.
He also highlighted the challenges undocumented workers face, including no bank accounts, no access to healthcare, and difficulty enrolling their children in school.
“We are both losing opportunities here. I am sure they also want to be legal, and the only way forward is proper documentation,” he added.
With over 100,000 foreign workers in Sabah, the state government is now working with the Home Ministry, the Immigration Department, and foreign consulates to facilitate legalisation and work permits.
