The MACC should investigate the Human Resources Ministry over a Bangladeshi report of a syndicate sending workers to Malaysia allegedly with support from Malaysian officials, said the Association of Penang Former City Councillors (PFCCA).

In a statement, PFCCA chairperson Teoh Seang Hooi said the anti-graft body should conduct a thorough and transparent investigation into this matter.

“A thorough and transparent investigation must be conducted to clear up the Human Resources Ministry from these international black sheep highlighted by the newly formed Bangladeshi government,” he added.

He also urged Human Resources Minister Steven Sim to “walk the talk” in safeguarding the ministry’s reputation.

Recently, the Bangladesh Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) launched a corruption investigation into a high-powered manpower supply syndicate.

The alleged syndicate includes four former MPs and former finance minister AHM Mustafa Kamal, who are being investigated for allegedly embezzling about 24,000 crore Bangladeshi taka (RM8.9 billion) in the labour supply scheme, the Dhaka Tribune reported.

The syndicate allegedly sent some 450,000 workers abroad in one and a half years but many ended up unemployed and returned home empty-handed.

According to the news website, they are accused of doing so “with the support of senior officials from both the Bangladeshi and Malaysian governments”.

Since 2022, some 494,469 Bangladeshi workers have entered Malaysia, according to Bangladeshi government data.

Only 100 agencies were allowed to recruit and send workers overseas, an increase from an initial 25.

The limited number prompted allegations of nepotism and corruption in Bangladesh but the Malaysian government refused to expand the number.

Dhaka probes high level corruption in labour supply to M'sia: Report

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