The Johor government needs to get tough against developers fromm China hiring a large number of Chinese citizens instead of locals, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) supreme council member Tariq Ismail said today.

Tariq said a special report by Malaysiakini, which discovered workers from China being brought in using social visit passes for the Forest City project, reinforced concerns that the practice is widespread.

"We did advise the state government of our concerns previously.

"So now, with this news, I challenge the state government to back our calls for a review of the federal policy on foreign workers and enforce stricter controls on China's preferential hiring of their workers for our local projects.

"Imagine, this is only Forest City. What about the other mega projects involving China?" Tariq asked in a statement.

He noted that China, through its "One Belt, One Road" strategy, seeks to connect the country with the whole of Southeast Asia, and pointed out that China holds on to the Communist ideology.

"And this is where we have to ask ourselves: what is Malaysia's ideology?" he said.

Tariq stressed the need for Malaysia to balance the opposing ideologies.

"We must not forget that a nation sold to the highest bidder for mere riches will destroy all of our integrity and honour.

"We should not be so eager to profit certain quarters if it leads to a complete devastation of our integrity and honour," he said.

Malaysiakini on Monday highlighted how workers from China were brought in for the Forest City project using  social visit passes.

It also showed how some of the workers were lured and cheated by agents in China to work in Malaysia illegally.

The project's developer, Country Garden Pacific View, said there were various contractors in charge of workers for the Forest City project and welcomed the authorities to conduct checks.