SINGAPORE: Malaysia has extended the contract of the firm behind the IT systems which manage migrant workers’ entry into the country, though under stricter terms, according to a senior government official.
At a press conference on Monday (Jun 24), Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said that the contract extension for Bestinet Sdn Bhd was decided in principle by the Malaysian Cabinet “several weeks ago”, Free Malaysia Today (FMT) reported.
While he reportedly confirmed Bestinet’s extension, he added the new contract was subject to stricter conditions, according to local media.
Mr Saifuddin also said that the government had set up a committee to discuss the details of Bestinet’s contract extension, set for another three years.
The committee – which will be headed by chief secretary to the government Mohd Zuki Ali – will discuss the terms and conditions of companies that introduce security technology for the centralised management system of migrant workers.
“This committee will discuss the terms of the contract starting from the decision to extend it in principle that has already been made in addition to entering into discussion process with the company,” Mr Saifuddin was quoted as saying by the New Straits Times.
Local media had previously reported that Bestinet had a six-year contract with Malaysia’s Home Ministry to develop, supply, provide and maintain the Foreign Workers Centralised Management System (FWCMS). However, the contract ended on May 31, 2024.
Earlier this week, CNA reported that Bestinet is set to get a fresh three-year contract to manage the country’s foreign workforce intake.
The exclusive report mentioned that under its new deal, Bestinet must – among other conditions – hand over to the government its Swift code and alphanumeric ciphers used by banks around the world for the international transfer of funds.
Bestinet was informed last week of the new conditions by the Home Ministry, which supervises the migrant labour recruitment system together with the Human Resources Ministry.
Only after the company accepts the new terms will a fresh three-year arrangement be finalised, the government officials told CNA.
