Release migrant workers and hospital fire reports, G25 reiterates

The group G25 Malaysia urged the government to uphold its promise of transparency and accountability by declassifying two more reports with separate independent committee findings.

G25 in a statement today referred to the Independent Committee Report on the Management of Foreign Workers which was completed in 2019; as well as the Independent Committee Report on the 2016 Sultanah Aminah Hospital (HSA) Johor Bahru Fire.

Both independent committees were chaired by G25 member and former Court of Appeal judge Mohd Hishamudin Yunus, while another G25 member, former ambassador Noor Farida Ariffin, was also elected deputy chair of the foreign workers’ management committee.

“We hope the government upholds its word that it is indeed serious about ensuring transparency, accountability, and good governance for a better Malaysia,” said G25.

Amid an ongoing MACC probe on the migrant workers’ recruitment process, which has seen two senior officers to Human Resources Minister V Sivakumar nabbed, G25 noted high public interest in various aspects covered in the committee’s report.

“With the recruitment practices being so secretive and complex, we are anxious to see the Independent Committee’s comments on the approval process in the relevant ministries and departments.

G25 member and former Court of Appeal judge Mohd Hishamudin Yunus

“Are there weaknesses in the laws and policies pertaining to the recruitment and management of foreign workers?

“Are there irregularities and elements of corrupt practices, as often alleged, which were uncovered by the committee?

“To what extent are the complaints of the exploitation and ill-treatment of foreign workers true?” asked the group.

G25 also questioned whether the report made any suggestions to ensure that recruitment fees are not passed on to the workers, resulting in the practice of bonded labour.

At the same time, the group said Malaysians are also concerned about whether there are syndicates using corrupt means to arrange for foreign workers to get Malaysian identity cards so they can become citizens and vote.

“This is another serious issue surrounding the recruitment of foreign labour.

“We hope to see what the Independent Committee says about this serious threat to our national identity,” said G25.

‘Hospital fire report declassified’

Meanwhile, the group noted it has been nearly five years since a report on the HSA fire - which resulted in the deaths of six patients - was submitted to the government and subsequently declassified.

However, a full copy of the report has yet to be made public, despite a promise last year by then-health minister Khairy Jamaluddin.