Datasonic wins RM140m contract to supply ID cards to foreign workers

Datasonic Group Bhd (DGB) has been awarded an RM140 million contract to supply the Immigration Department with identity cards for foreign workers (i-Kad).

According to DGB's announcement to Bursa Malaysia, the three-year contract took effect on Nov 1.

DGB will also have to furnish a performance bond of RM2.33 million to the Home Ministry and implement a Professional Training and Education for Growing Entrepreneurs (Protégé) programme set by the government for no less than 58 people.

Putrajaya has relied on DBG to supply the MyKad for Malaysians since 2000. The company also supplies passports.

One of the biggest shareholders of DGB is Chew Ben Ben. In February 2020, Chew told the High Court that he made an RM6 million "political contribution" in 2017 to then home minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

"I want to state if he had not held the two positions (deputy prime minister and home minister), I would not have proposed the RM6 million donation to BN through Zahid," he said in his witness statement during a corruption trial against Zahid, adding that the donation was for "long-term prospects".

‘World-class’ security features

Meanwhile, DGB's executive chairperson Abu Hanifah Noordin said Datasonic would provide the new i-Kad which is enhanced with "world-class" security features.

"We also aim to substantially improve the manufacturing lead time to ensure timely delivery without compromising the cards' quality and security. All in all, this is a positive development for our country as well as Datasonic.

"Based on our proven capabilities and track record, we are confident in the execution of the project. The outlook for the group remains bright as we continue leveraging our technical expertise, experience, and proven track record to seize more opportunities," he said, according to New Straits Time.

The i-Kad was introduced in 2014 as an identification card for foreigners to help authorities track undocumented migrants.

The cards were colour coded according to industry and contained biometric information.

I never used RM6m political donation for personal benefit - Zahid

Firm linked to Zahid graft trial awarded RM31.2m contract extension

Zahid: RM6m is political contribution, not kickbacks for contract

System disruptions cause congestion at M'sian immigration office in S'pore

Datasonic exec: RM6m for Zahid wouldn't have happened if not DPM