All right thinking Malaysians cannot but question the rationale and decision for the Home Ministry to control foreign workers industry by its proposed Foreign Workers Bill - a bill that is still shrouded in mystery and secrecy.

More so when fundamentally, it is the jurisdiction of the effective Ministry of Human Resources to tackle all matters pertaining to manpower needs both domestic and foreign. What does the home ministry know of workers' rights, of labour demands and increasing the skills of workers?

Are they also competent in the interpretation and effective enforcement of the Employment Act, the Industrial Relations Act, the Occupational Safety and Health Act, the Workmen's Compensation Act and other labour legislation?

So far the handling of foreign workers woes by the Home Ministry has been controversial with the involvement of Rela which has caused international embarrassment to Malaysia. Its handling of outsourcing licences to more than 150 companies has also had its fair share of controversies.

It is also indeed embarrassing that for an administration that has boasted of its 'open and transparent credentials', to date there has been a total black-out on the provisions of the Foreign Workers Bill. Affected stakeholders are still in the dark as to its provisions and the real intentions and objectives of its draftsman.

It is also a disgrace that local stakeholders, labour unions, NGOs and representatives of source countries have yet to be roped in for feedback and discussions on this bill despite its impact and implication both domestic and international.

Questions are also now emerging as why the Home Ministry is claiming ownership on foreign workers and fast-tracking this bill?

It would be advisable for the Home Ministry to concentrate on its primary and fundamental duties in addressing the rising crime rate and the presence of the millions of undocumented workers in this country rather than trying to usurp the powers and jurisdiction of the Human Resource Ministry by taking control of the management of foreign workers in Malaysia.