(Test - VG- scheduler) ‘Sickening, not shocking’: PSM pans govt’s inaction over migrant workers’ quota abuse
With Malaysiakini’s expose on how migrant workers’ quota were being abused by unscrupulous quarters, PSM took the government to task for not being serious in dealing with the problem.
“It is sickening but not shocking. These happenings have been highlighted over and over either when there are abuses or when there is an expose but there seems to be no seriousness to address the issues,” its deputy chairperson S Arutchelvan said in a statement today.
Earlier today, Malaysiakini revealed the existence of syndicates which were abusing the migrant workers’ quota to reap profits.
With Malaysiakini’s expose on how migrant workers’ quota were being abused by unscrupulous quarters, PSM took the government to task for not being serious in dealing with the problem.
“It is sickening but not shocking. These happenings have been highlighted over and over either when there are abuses or when there is an expose but there seems to be no seriousness to address the issues,” its deputy chairperson S Arutchelvan said in a statement today.
Earlier today, Malaysiakini revealed the existence of syndicates which were abusing the migrant workers’ quota to reap profits.
Under the scheme, the "A to B" syndicate exploits government hiring systems by obtaining excessive migrant worker quotas, which are then sold or rented to other industries for profit.
Corrupt government officials are also claimed to be part of the syndicate, with those caught usually only getting transferred out.
‘Ministers know’
Arutchelvan said in 2018, an independent investigation commissioned by the Pakatan Harapan government revealed systemic corruption, rent-seeking activities, abuse and mistreatment of migrant workers in the country.
He also said that The Right to Redress Coalition, which PSM was part of, also did roundtable sessions and provided recommendations to resolve the problems.
“These recommendations have been passed to all human resources ministers – the current and previous ones.
“One of the key recommendations is there should be only one ministry or department involved in hiring and managing migrant workers.
“But since it is a lucrative business, it seems there is no political will from the current or previous governments to streamline this,” he lamented.
The PSM leader said Malaysiakini’s latest report pointed to three important matters – which it involves insiders, those well- connected to relevant government agencies and departments and seem to enjoy some form of protection.
“Looking at how our MACC hides behind bureaucratic reasoning as in the recent Sabah video cases, one wonders how are we going to fight corruption when it is deep within the system of governance,” Arutchelvan added.
Arutchelvan was referring to the case of a whistleblower, who since Nov 9, has been exposing videos of state assemblypersons in Sabah, whom he claimed took bribes from him to support his application for a mining exploration licence.
He has vowed to surrender all the recordings, documents, banking details and scree
nshots of WhatsApp messages to the MACC if he is granted immunity and protection under the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010.
However, MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki stressed the agency cannot provide any written guarantee of immunity.
“The Whistleblower Protection Act stipulates that the individual possessing information must first disclose the improper conduct, as defined by the law before the protection process can be initiated.
“MACC cannot provide any written guarantee of immunity, meaning that the individual will not be investigated or charged, without detailed information about the improper conduct.
“Therefore, it is premature for MACC to offer protection under the law to the individual (before a report is lodged),” he added.
