KUALA LUMPUR: The Centre to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4 Centre) has called for immediate investigations following the Public Accounts Committee's (PAC) recent revelations of significant misgovernance in the migrant labour recruitment system.
On July 3, PAC chairman Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin said the Foreign Workers Centralised Management System (FWCMS) has been operating for six years without a formal contract.
Despite the issuance of a letter of acceptance on Jan 12, 2018, the contract between the government and the service provider, Bestinet Sdn Bhd, remained unsigned until March 13.
C4 Centre in a statement said the situation implicates the Home Ministry in serious violations of standard government procurement and public-private partnership procedures.
PAC was also told that 24 unauthorised users had been approved by the Human Resources Ministry officers to bring in foreign workers, it said.
C4 Centre said the government's continued engagement with Bestinet was extremely questionable given the numerous criticisms of the company and its practices.
Despite the controversies, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail announced on June 24 that the government had extended Bestinet's contract for another three years, it said.
"This decision has raised eyebrows, especially since there was no initial contract.
"In light of the numerous instances of misgovernance, how did this decision by the government even come to pass?" it said in a statement.
It outlined several key actions needed, such as investigating the individuals responsible for the contract remaining unsigned and the administrative failures that allowed this issue to escape detection.
"Hold those found responsible accountable, with administrative or criminal sanctions if corruption is involved.
"Empower the Auditor-General's Office to audit government projects throughout their lifespan, as per the recent amendments to the Audit Act 1957.
"Introduce reforms to the procurement process to ensure transparency and accountability through the Government Procurement Act," it suggested.