‘Political links behind inaction on 6P mess’

Tenaganita's Irene Fernandez says that political links is one of the reasons why the government is being silent on exploitation of foreign workers under the 6P programme

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian government’s inaction in solving the 6P amnesty programme “fiasco” is due to strong political links between errant agents and the BN, Tenaganita’s Irene Fernandez alleged today.

The migrant rights NGO’s executive director was commenting on the revelation that former Home Minister Mohd Radzi Sheikh Ahmad, is a director of a government-appointed agent which is being investigated by the police for several human trafficking related offences.

“The presence of a former minister in a company that has been found to have committed so many alleged crimes speaks volumes. This is yet another reminder of how urgent and imperative it is that investigations into allegations of corruption and state complicity in fraud involving the 6P programme be carried out independently, and openly,” said Fernandez.

“This tells you why there has been inaction. It is because of the strong political links to the regime and the government of the day. This is blatant fraud, but nothing is done,” she said.

Fernandez also called upon Mohd Radzi, currently MP of Kangar, to declare his assets and how much money he has made from the company, SNT Universal Corporation Sdn Bhd.

“I find it strange that a lawmaker does not know what his responsibility is in a company,” she said.

She alleged that Radzi, during his tenure as minister, was himself responsible for the victimisation of thousands of Bangladeshi workers.

In 2006, the government lifted a 10-year freeze on the recruitment of Bangladeshi workers. Thousands were then recruited and cheated through an outsourcing process, said Irene.

She said that the same “fraudulent” outsourcing companies were now given the opportunity to cheat again when they were appointed to act as agents under the 6P amnesty programme.

“More than one year after the 6P was announced, thousands who have paid between RM3,000 to RM4,000 to these companies to be legalised remain undocumented. They are open to arrest, detention and whipping under the Immigration Act,” she said.

Bogus employers

Fernandez said that many migrants continue to be threatened and abused by these agents, who insist on obtaining fradulent work permits through “bogus employers”. Police and official reports have been lodged but nothing has come out of it.

On Nov 23, FMT reported about Mohd Radzi’s directorship in SNT Universal Corporation, which is being investigated for exploiting about 200 foreign workers, mainly Bangladeshis.

SNT had allegedly falsely claimed that it is able to register foreigners under the 6P programme and getting work permits for them, setting up dozens of bogus employment agencies, and assaulting job-seeking foreigners.

The last allegation is based on CCTV recordings.

According to the Companies Commission of Malaysia (CCM), Radzi became a director of SNT on May 17, 2011.

However, Radzi’s response was that “some friends” roped him into being an SNT director and denied knowledge of its activities.

“I’m not involved in human trafficking,” he said. “People ask me to become a director in all sorts of things. I have no connection with the company.”

Under the 6P programme, illegal foreign workers will either be legalised or deported without punishment. The six Ps represent the Malay words for registration, legalisation, amnesty, monitoring, enforcement and deportation. The government has appointed more than 300 companies to handle registration.

Abused and assaulted

Meanwhile, FMT spoke to several Bangladeshi workers who protested at the Bangladesh High Commission this morning against the 6P programme.

Md Shipun alleged that SNT Universal Corporation not only verbally abused workers going through them to apply for work permits, but frequently resorted to violence.

“Babul is no good. He just beats us. He has beaten more than 100 people. He goons hit my cousin and many of my friends. He and his people only know violence,” he said.

“Babul” is the nick name of one of the directors of SNT Universal Corporation who is a Bangladeshi. It’s a mystery how his company was appointed as an agent.

MD Rokan Uddin (left) said people from SNT Universal Corporation had threatened to kill him. “We found out we were cheated and wanted to find another 6P agent to help us get permits, but they would not give us back our passports. He told me: ‘if you go back, I will kill you’.”

Mohd Zakir Hosain, a Bangladeshi businessman now a permanent resident here, said that he had brought a group of his countrymen to be registered by SNT but everyone is now caught.

“They trusted me, I feel bad. The Malaysian government, the Immigration Department and Home Ministry must solve these issues. If possible, allow them to find another employer.”

Another Bangladeshi who applied for work permits under another 6P company said he too, was physically abused when he and a friend were cheated and confronted them.

“I have been working here since 1993. Last year, my friend and I paid about RM8,000 to get permits from this company Akhwan Group,” said MD Mahbub Moullik (right).

“But then one year later I didn’t get anything, and when I went there with my receipts, the man just tore the papers in front of us.”

“I tried to return home twice but they have kept my passport and refuse to return it. When I ask for it I was hit on my chest and shoulders.

“They asked for more money. My father passed away three days ago, but I can’t return to pay my respects. I have nothing(no documents and no employment), what can I do now?”