The Home Ministry will be "happy" if the issue of foreign workers is taken off its hands and shifted to the Human Resources Ministry, said its minister Mohd Radzi Sheikh Ahmad.

"If they can handle it, we'd be happy... It would make our work easier," Radzi told reporters after a briefing in Kuala Lumpur on Umno's upcoming annual general assembly.

He was commenting on the call by Deputy Human Resources Minister Abdul Rahman Bakar that the ministry be given full control over the issue of migrant workers.

While the Home Ministry approves work permits and regulates the entry of foreign workers, the Human Resources Ministry is responsible for the welfare of workers once they are within the country.

Abdul Rahman said burgeoning problems linked to foreign workers - including their impact on the local population and workforce - have reached critical proportions.

At the root of the issue, said Abdul Rahman, is the overlapping of ministerial jurisdictions.

Conceding this today, Radzi said it was not only the home and human resources ministries but Tourism Ministry and the International Trade and Industry Ministry that have a stake in the entry of foreigners into the country.

Radzi said the Tourism Ministry, for example, and its efforts to promote Malaysia as a tourism destination meant there would be objections to doing away with the visa on arrival (VOA) issued to tourists.

This is despite the fact that many of the 120,000 'tourists' issued VOAs violate immigration regulations by working or carrying out business while in the country.

"It's not our jurisdiction. It's the Tourism Ministry. They say the application (VOA) has to be approved, so we have to approve. It means they cannot be turned back," said Radzi.

No compromise on security

He also said a crucial consideration to be addressed was the issue of security in relation to migrant workers.

"Our concern is that we cannot compromise on security," he said.

On the recommendation by Abdul Rahman that there be a temporary moratorium on the intake of foreign workers, Radzi said he was also open to it.

Again, however, there were many other quarters unhappy with the move on the grounds it may halt many development projects, he said.

"I can stop (the influx of workers). But the industries may get angry," he said.

Radzi also disclosed that a report on the country's actual workforce needs and economic situation - jointly conducted by the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) and the Human Resources Ministry - would be tabled to the cabinet in two weeks' time.

Until that report has been tabled, said Radzi, he would reserve comment on whether - and to what extent - his ministry had approved an excessive number of foreign workers' permits in relation to the actual needs of companies in the country.

"We'll wait for the report first from EPU," he said.