KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 15): HeiTech Padu Bhd (KL:HTPADU) on Wednesday clarified that the RM157.8 million increase in the value of its contract for the National Integrated Immigration System (NIISe) project was due to the inclusion of an Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) component.
According to the HeiTech Padu, the additional ABIS scope includes the supply of hardware such as servers for data and disaster recovery centres, software licences for biometric matching and identification engines, and the development and integration of the ABIS solution.
The increase in contract value also covers security and network software licences as well as training and technology transfer for Home Ministry personnel, HeiTech Padu said in a filing.
HeiTech confirmed that the amended contract, now valued at RM1.05 billion, was accepted on Oct 13, a year after the original award worth RM892.2 million
Meant to replace the current Malaysian Immigration System (myIMMs), NIISe covers foreign-worker management, on top of expatriate management, immigration control, as well as passports and travel passes.
HeiTech Padu's contract is for a period of 60 months from Oct 18, 2024 to Oct 17, 2029. It was reported that the project is scheduled for completion in 2028.
Notably, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) had in July flagged potential overlaps between NIISe and the existing Foreign Worker Centralised Management System (FWCMS) managed by Bestinet Sdn Bhd.
Despite these concerns, the government confirmed that Bestinet’s FWCMS — which offers offers services such as foreign worker quota application, visa processing, and permit renewals — will continue until 2031.
HeiTech’s share price closed one sen or 0.45% lower at RM2.22 on Wednesday, giving the company a market capitalisation of RM361.83 million. Year to date, the counter has declined by more than 11%.
MyEG Services Bhd’s (KL:MYEG) group managing director Wong Thean Soon is the largest shareholder in HeiTech Padu with 21.75% indirect stake held through MyEG Capital Sdn Bhd and another 0.95% direct stake.
Rosetta Partners Sdn Bhd, an investment vehicle owned by Sultan Muhammad V of Kelantan, holds 22.08% stake in HeiTech Padu, followed by Datuk Sri Mohd Hilmey Mohd Taib, who owns a 2.75% direct and 10.48% indirect stake through his private vehicle Padujade Corp Sdn Bhd.