PAC Urges Immediate Repair of RM19.4 Million Inefficient ePPAx System!

thecekodok


The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has urged the Human Resources Ministry to immediately repair the Integrated Foreign Worker Management System (ePPAx) which has cost RM19.4 million to develop.


This happened when the PAC found that the system failed to function properly and could not be fully utilized, causing a waste of public funds that had been used.


Among the problems detected were failures in calculating quotas and initial screening of foreign workers, as well as security issues involving user IDs.


PAC also stressed that the Ministry needs to immediately take action in upgrading this system to be more effective, especially ahead of the implementation of the tiered levy system which is expected to begin next year.


In addition, PAC also criticized the contract for the supply of the FWCMS system by Bestinet Sdn Bhd, where the foreign worker permit management charge soared to RM215 per permit, potentially costing the government RM3.22 billion in six years.


However, Bestinet CEO Ismail Noor denied the figures and claimed they were inaccurate.


In addition, PAC also revealed weaknesses in the FWCMS that allowed unauthorized access.


PAC stressed the importance of cooperation between the Ministry of Human Resources and the Ministry of Home Affairs in managing foreign workers, and warned that new systems such as NIISe could be aligned with ePPAx to avoid further waste.


Many parties will certainly dispute the system that cost almost RM20 million but failed to function properly.