Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein, commenting on the 12 National Key Economic Areas (NKEAs) under the 10th Malaysia Plan, said the ministry’s role would be in terms of determining the number of foreign workers required.    

"Now that we have identified the NKEAs, there are certain sectors that perhaps do not require that many foreign workers.    

"Secondly, it is important to set up a system to ensure they will be screened before they come, monitored when they are here and our enforcement to ensure they leave the country when it's time to do so."    

Hishammuddin said the ministry would be looking at all aspects and coordinating the different agencies involved, including the task force on terrorism, Immigration Department and the task force on drug trafficking.    

"So, the ministry will, not too long from now, be able to spearhead and coordinate activities against international cross-boundary crime. This is an area which the ministry should have the expertise and be able to lead.    

"Really, it is quite an exciting period where while we're looking at the NKEAs, we are balancing the economic needs of the country and the security risks involved," he added.    

The NKEAs – oil and and gas, palm oil and related products, financial services, wholesale and retail, tourism, information and communication technology, education services, electrical and electronics, business services, private healthcare, agriculture and Greater Kuala Lumpur - have been described as having great potential to generate high income for the nation.

- Bernama