KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 21 ― Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today clarified that a firm shortlisted to manage the entry of 1.5 million Bangladeshi workers into the country has not been selected for the job.
The deputy prime minister and home minister also explained that the firm was not the only one being considered for the contract.
“Shortlisted, not appointed yet. We have requested for proposals, many companies are interested to participate,” he told reporters after the launch of the 4th General Police and Special Equipment Exhibition and Conference Asia at the Putra World Trade Centre here.
When asked when the contract agreement will be finalised, he said it would depend on Dhaka.
In a written parliamentary reply to Datuk Mahfuz Omar (PAS-Pokok Sena) yesterday, his ministry revealed that Synerflux has been shortlisted to handle the online management of 1.5 million Bangladeshi workers, pending negotiations between Malaysia and Bangladesh.
His ministry said Synerflux was shortlisted to handle the planned labour transfer as their proposed model was the most viable and provided Putrajaya with a “more systematic, efficient and controlled procedure to hire workers”.
The project previously sparked controversy after reports claimed that the contract was to be awarded to Ahmad Zahid’s brother, businessman Datuk Abdul Hakim.
The Home Ministry denied a report claiming that Ahmad Zahid had ordered it to award a management system contract for Bangladeshi workers to his brother’s company, saying the matter is still being discussed.
