25 recruitment agencies probe: No arrests so far, says source

 

The MACC has yet to make any arrests in its ongoing probe into alleged irregularities in the selection of 25 Bangladesh recruitment agencies authorised by Malaysia.

However, a source familiar with the matter said the anti-graft commission might detain "several individuals" to assist in the investigation that follows a report lodged by Penang PKR Youth earlier this week.

"The MACC has received several complaints on (alleged) corruption and abuse of power from several groups," said the source.

Malaysiakini understands that MACC's probe will focus on both the Human Resources Ministry as well as the Home Ministry's roles in managing the recruitment of migrant workers from not only Bangladesh but also 12 other source countries.

It was earlier reported that Bestinet's founder Mohd Amin Abdul Nor, as well as officials from the Bangladesh High Commission in Kuala Lumpur, were among several individuals questioned by the MACC yesterday as part of the ongoing probes.

The source further said MACC had yesterday raided several firms in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, owned by a tycoon with a "Datuk Seri" title who is allegedly involved in the recruitment of Bangladeshi migrant workers.

According to the source, the individual is believed to be in control of the majority of the 25 Bangladeshi agencies recently selected for the recruitment of migrant workers there.

All of the firms were also said to be involved in developing a centralised system to manage the registration of migrant workers.

"The system has been agreed for use by the Malaysian government in 2015 and involved bilateral agreements with several countries including Bangladesh," said the source.

Bestinet had previously denied allegations of ties with any of the 25 Bangladesh Recruitment Agencies, as alleged by labour industry players in Malaysia and Bangladesh.

Human Resources Minister M Saravanan had also denied allegations that linked Bestinet and Amin to a "syndicate" supplying labour from Bangladesh to Malaysia. - Mkini