Why Bestinet again for new worker recruitment system, asks ex-MP

 Charles Santiago calls for greater transparency on the reported 12-year deal, pointing to irregularities flagged in an existing system developed by Bestinet.

DAP’s Charles Santiago urged Putrajaya to instead push for a binding bilateral labour agreement with source countries to curb the abuse and exploitation of migrant workers. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA:

 A former MP has questioned the government’s appointment of Bestinet Sdn Bhd for developing a new foreign worker recruitment system given the irregularities flagged in an existing system also developed by the firm.

DAP’s Charles Santiago said the Public Accounts Committee found serious irregularities in the Foreign Workers Centralised Management System, with unauthorised users approving applications and procurements made without proper process.

He urged the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate the procurement process for the new digital system called the Universal Recruitment Advanced Platform, or Turap.

“Why Bestinet again? Were there other bids? Was there an open tender? Are there no other competent firms? Awarding a critical national system to the same company already under scrutiny is shameful.

“And what is the cost of developing Turap? Who is going to pay for it? Will it be the government, the employers, or ultimately the workers again?” the former Klang MP said in a statement.

Santiago urged the Cabinet to bin the proposal and instead push for a binding bilateral labour agreement with source countries to curb the abuse and exploitation of migrant workers.

Yesterday, human resources minister R Ramanan denied a Bloomberg report quoting sources as claiming that Malaysia would adopt the Turap system developed by Bestinet, a company founded by labour tycoon Aminul Islam.

The system is marketed as allowing employers to hire workers directly rather than through middlemen, with companies charged US$1,000 per application. The proposed contract is said to be for 12 years.

The proposal was reportedly opposed by previous human resources minister Steven Sim prior to the Cabinet reshuffle in December due to several concerns, including over the prospect of handing more power to Aminul and Bestinet.

Ramanan rubbished the Bloomberg report, saying it contained details that were not known even to him as the minister in charge.

However, he was later quoted by NST as saying he saw no problems with adopting the new Bestinet system, and that discussions on its implementation were underway.

Santiago called for greater transparency on the deal, saying a 12-year-long contract that involves the movement of millions of migrant workers must not be negotiated discreetly.

He also asked why the contract was for 12 years involving just one private vendor.

“No government should tie the hands of the next three administrations for so long that it effectively prevents reform, review, and competition. Whose interests does this timeline serve?” he said. - FMT