KUALA LUMPUR: Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan has refuted a report by an international media organisation claiming that Malaysia is planning to adopt a new foreign worker recruitment system developed by Bestinet Sdn Bhd, describing the report as unverified and inaccurate.
He said the report contained details that were not even known to him, as the minister responsible for tabling any proposal to the Cabinet.
"It is shocking to me that they seem to know more about the proposed system than I do. I have not tabled anything to the Cabinet, yet they are able to explain it in detail," he said during a dialogue session with the Concorde Club at Wisma Bernama here on Thursday (April 16).
The session, chaired by Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) Chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai, discussed the topic “Work, Wages and Future.”
According to a Bloomberg report, the software is said to enable companies to recruit foreign workers directly, without relying on intermediaries that charge high fees.
Ramanan also dismissed claims in the report, including an allegation that the system would impose a recruitment cost of US$1,000 (RM4,700) per worker.
"That figure is totally false. I have consistently stated that the government is moving towards zero migration cost. It is ridiculous to suggest otherwise," he said.
He also questioned the basis of the report, stating that neither he nor the relevant ministries had been contacted directly.
"Even if they could not get a response, it does not justify publishing unverified information," he added, describing the report as irresponsible and unethical.
Ramanan stressed that Bestinet has been operating in Malaysia since 2011 and provides the Foreign Workers Centralised Management System, which is used by several ministries, including the Home Ministry and the Human Resources Ministry.
He said the system has proven effective, including withstanding cyberattacks during the Covid-19 pandemic without any breaches, and has also received international recognition, including an award from the United Nations. – Bernama
