The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) will seek an explanation from the Home Ministry the seemingly large number of licences to security firms.

PAC chairperson Nur Jazlan Mohamed told reporters yesterday in Parliament that this has resulted in an influx in foreigners being hired as security guard.

These foreign security guards are estimated to be in the "tens of thousands", although licences stipulate that only locals can be hired.

Nur Jazlan said this after hearing a testimony by Shaheen Mirza Habeeb, the Security Association of Malaysia president.

"He said that there is a problem monitoring these security companies as there are many which are licensed by the Home Ministry," Nur Jazlan said.

"We will call in the Home Ministry to explain the procedures in giving out licences and how they monitor the companies," he added.

Nur Jazlan stressed that licences should only be given to companies which are qualified and have strong enough financial standing to carry out security services.

"Only the capable should be rewarded," he said.