Hisham: Biometric tampering 'only on small scale'

Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein has brushed aside claims of tampering with biometric scanning equipment used in the 6P amnesty programme for foreign workers, implying that there are only a few such cases and that the matter does not merit “major concern”.

He argued that, if a large number of the scanning equipment has been tampered with, the authorities would not have been able to register over 1.9 million foreign workers since the programme was launched on July 13.

“Of course there are cases of tampering and breakdowns, but I don't think it is of major concern because 1,928,000 is a huge number and you can imagine, by the end of the day, probably the number will exceed two million,” he said after chairing a meeting with national and state immigration directors in Putrajaya.

Hishammuddin's remarks appear to contradict a statement by his ministry's senior deputy secretary-general Alwi Ibrahim.

Last week, Bernama had quoted Alwi as saying that 600 biometric scanner units have been modified and no longer meet government specifications.

The minister, however, was adamant that there is no issue with the efficacy of the scanning equipment, repeating that the high number of foreign workers registered to date is proof enough that the equipment is working properly.

He said 1.9 million foreign workers had been registered as at 8am today - they comprise 897,200 legal workers and 1,031,025 illegal workers who had voluntarily come forward to take advantage of the amnesty programme.

“If the equipment had all been tampered with or (was) not functioning well, I don't think we would have gotten this huge a number in one month. This answers the two questions about the allegations that the equipment was not up and going, and of tampering,” he said.

Huge presence

Hishammuddin continued his defence of the 6P programme and the use of the biometric scanning system, stressing that the numbers alone shows the magnitude of the presence of foreign workers in Malaysia.

“This shows the problem we are facing... if we don't conduct this exercise, only God would know how many foreigners are in our country.

“To people who point their fingers, blame us and the system, this is not easy. But I am proud this (blame) has not affected the spirit of the officers working to carry out their responsibilities. If this volume (of migrant workers) is not managed, it will affect the country and our future.”

Hishammuddin meanwhile urged employers who have foreign workers - legal or otherwise - and the workers themselves to sign up with the programme before the closing date next Monday.

He said his ministry is working with the relevant embassies to get more foreign workers and their employers to come forward, but stressed that there will not be another extension after the deadline. - Malaysiakini