PUTRAJAYA (July 2): The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is seeking evidence for a probe into the Home Ministry in relation to abuse of power over foreign workers inflow, said Parti Ekonomi Rakyat Malaysia (Perkira) president Mohd Ridzuan Abdullah.

Ridzuan, who was summoned by the anti-graft agency at its headquarters here today, said he had discussed on corruption issues pertaining to inflow of foreign workers in the country.

"The main issue that I focused on is the issue of foreign workers, where the previous home minister had really prostituted the Home Ministry and ruined the image of the previous [Barisan Nasional] government," explained Ridzuan today. 

He however, refused to dwell into the details of the discussion, in order not to jeopardise future investigations as advised by the MACC. 

"I thank the MACC for inviting me to discuss and assist the investigation on the issue.

"We see that the new government is working hard to battle corruption. I am now more confident with the MACC, and I will provide concrete evidence to the agency for future action," he added.

On June 21, Ridzuan lodged a police report against former home minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi over allegations of abuse of power in the management of foreign workers' approval into the country. 

Zahid, who is also former deputy prime minister, is currently at the MACC headquarters to provide his statements on two separate cases, one of which he said is in relation to a foundation run by his family members. 

In a related matter, Ridzuan urged the MACC to further investigate three companies which have benefited from government contracts in relation to a rehiring programme for foreign workers.

"Do not just end their contracts," Ridzuan said. "These companies must be investigated [on] how they obtained the contracts. Was it via tender, direct negotiations, or other means?

"We know who are the politicians involved with the three companies," Ridzuan alleged. 

Ridzuan was referring to three firms appointed for the foreign workers' rehiring programme run under the Immigration Department, namely MyEG Services Bhd, Syarikat Bukti Megah Sdn Bhd, and International Marketing & Net Resources Sdn Bhd (IMAN Resources). 

Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said in a statement dated May 31 that no extension is allowed for the contracts, which ended on June 30.

Implemented from Feb 16, 2016, the rehiring programme served as an avenue to provide illegal foreign workers valid working permit to fulfil labour requirement for certain sectors, including manufacturing, construction, plantation, agriculture and services.

"The public and employers can deal with the Malaysia Immigration Department directly for all types of services on hiring foreign workers," he said in the statement.