This article first appeared in The Edge Malaysia Weekly on October 26, 2026 - November 1, 2026

ON paper, the close nexus between HeiTech Padu Bhd (KL:HTPADU) and Zetrix AI Bhd (KL:ZETRIX) seemed evident.

Zetrix AI, controlled by Wong Thean Soon, used to have a 16.9% stake in HeiTech Padu and had a board representative. Zetrix AI has stated in its annual report that the company was a technology partner of the National Integrated Immigration System (NIISe) project. NIISe is highly controversial because the contract tends to be awarded to a company that is seen to be connected to the government of the day.

HeiTech Padu clinched the NIISe project in October 2024 for RM892.2 million. A year later, the project was upsized, with additional works, to RM1.05 billion. The NIISe project is supposed to replace the current system called MyIMMs, which was also developed by HeiTech Padu.

Ironically, in March 2024, businessman Datuk Seri Farhash Wafa Salvador emerged with a 15.9% stake in HeiTech Padu. The vehicle was Rosetta Partners Sdn Bhd, in which the Sultan of Kelantan is also a substantial shareholder.

A month later, Farhash — who is the former political secretary of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and seen as an influential figure in Corporate Malaysia under the current government — ceased to be a substantial shareholder in HeiTech Padu.

The links between Farhash and Wong go beyond HeiTech Padu.

Farhash is also the executive chairman of Excel Force MSC Bhd (KL:EFORCE), another company linked to Zetrix AI and Wong. Following the meltdown of Zetrix AI shares due to the forced selling of Wong’s stake, the company’s interest in HeiTech Padu was disposed of last month, while its stake in EForce was significantly reduced.

While EForce has seen new shareholders emerge, HeiTech Padu has yet to disclose who took up Zetrix AI’s 16.9% block.

The history of NIISe dates back to 2017, during the Barisan Nasional administration, when Prestariang Bhd (now AwanBiru Technology Bhd [KL:AWANTEC]) was awarded the precursor project, National Immigration Control System (SKIN), valued at RM3.5 billion. Following the change in government in 2018, Awantec’s contract was terminated in December that year.

In 2021, during the Perikatan Nasional-led administration, the government awarded the NIISe project to Iris Group Bhd (KL:IRIS), a company supposedly with links to relatives of then prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin. The mandate to Iris was terminated in 2023; finally, it landed on HeiTech Padu.

Apart from NIISe, HeiTech Padu gained prominence when its executive director, Datuk N Sandraruben, was alleged to be an adviser to Datasonic Group Bhd (KL:DATASONIC) earlier this year during a boardroom tussle involving Victor Chin Boon Leong. The battle was for control of Datasonic, which has a six-year contract to supply MyKad and other national identity documents to the government for RM732.7 million.

Datuk Abu Hanifah Noordin, a founder and major shareholder of Datasonic, alleged that Sandraruben and another person attempted to outsource key technology capabilities in relation to the MyKad project to HeiTech Padu.

In reply to questions from The Edge, HeiTech Padu group CEO Syed Omar Albar Syed Abdullah explains the role of Zetrix AI in NIISe, project milestones and the company’s participation in Datasonic’s MyKad project.

The Edge: Companies linked to MY EG Capital Sdn Bhd, which is part of Zetrix AI, used to hold 16.9% in HeiTech Padu. The shares were disposed of last month. Can the company please disclose who took up the shares?

Syed Omar Albar Syed Abdullah: The disposal of shares by companies linked to MY EG Capital was executed via direct business transactions. To date, no party has emerged as a substantial shareholder of HeiTech Padu in relation to the disposal.

HeiTech Padu and Zetrix AI have a teaming agreement to implement large-scale e-government IT projects. According to Zetrix AI’s annual report, the partnership started with the implementation of the NIISe project last year. What is the status of the partnership?

Zetrix AI and HeiTech Padu entered into an agreement in April 2024 to explore the deployment of blockchain technology into the National Integrated Immigration System (NIISe) project. However, the proposed collaboration did not materialise; the agreement lapsed in April 2025 and both parties agreed not to extend the agreement. Accordingly, there is no ongoing collaboration between Zetrix AI and HeiTech Padu in relation to the proposed incorporation of these technologies into the NIISe project.

HeiTech Padu continues to undertake the deployment of the NIISe system independently using its in-house team, which currently comprises more than 1,000 local technical personnel, including infrastructure specialists, programmers, developers, system analysts and project managers.

What is the input by Zetrix AI with regard to the NIISe project? If Zetrix AI is unable to fulfil its obligations, is there a new partner?

The collaboration was to explore the deployment of blockchain technology as an addition to the approved project specifications. The parties held workshops and discussions with the government, but as there was no further progress, both parties agreed not to extend the agreement.

As the proposed collaboration with Zetrix AI did not proceed, there is no need for a replacement partner in relation to the scope originally envisaged under the agreement.

Does HeiTech Padu have any other partnership with Zetrix AI on other projects, apart from the NIISe rollout? If so, what is the status of the project and state of progress?

Apart from NIISe, HeiTech Padu and Zetrix AI have explored potential collaborations to deploy blockchain technology across several sectors. However, these discussions remain at an exploratory stage, and no concrete projects have materialised to date.

What is the progress of the NIISe project? The home ministry had stated that it was behind schedule with 29.9% completed as at June 26 this year?

The project remains generally on track, with certain components delivered ahead of schedule. For instance, close to 200 e-gates for pedestrians and motorcyclists have been installed, ahead of the original deployment timeline of 2027 onwards.

Meanwhile, there are sites currently undergoing pilot implementation, while rigorous testing is underway at the upcoming RTS (Rapid Transit System) station in Johor Bahru, in preparation for its planned operationalisation early next year.

Can the company share the milestones of the NIISe project? In particular, what is the target date for the nationwide rollout of NIISe at all entry and exit points?

The NIISe rollout will be implemented in phases and batches within the contractual time frame and throughout 2027 and 2028 covering small, medium and large entry and exit points nationwide.

Given that all these sites operate 24/7, the rollout plan is dynamic and will be guided by operational needs and priorities at each stage. The company will work closely with the government and relevant asset owners, such as MAHB (Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd) for airports, to plan and coordinate its deployment.

NIISe involves more than just e-gates; it includes supporting infrastructure, systems and equipment such as servers, fingerprint scanners and kiosks. These requirements, together with site readiness, will be considered in determining the rollout schedule in consultation with the government and relevant stakeholders.

Will NIISe take over the current functions of the Foreign Worker Centralised Management System (FWCMS) with regard to the management of unskilled foreign labour into Malaysia?

FWCMS specifically is not included in the current NIISe core system; however, NIISe is being developed to cater for multiple modules including the management of foreign workers. Once the NIISe system has been fully deployed, the government can determine the appropriate next steps for FWCMS.

Is HeiTech Padu in any way collaborating with Bestinet Sdn Bhd in relation to the NIISe project or any other projects?

No, HeiTech Padu does not have any collaboration with Bestinet in relation to the NIISe project or any other projects.

Is it true that Datuk Sandraruben represents the interest of Datuk Seri Farhash Wafa Salvador and Datuk Seri Aminul Islam Md Nor of Bestinet in HeiTech Padu?

The company is not aware of any such arrangement or representation.

Earlier this year, Sandraruben is alleged to have been appointed as an adviser to Datasonic Group Bhd (then known as NexG Bhd) and participated in its management. This was stated by Datuk Abu Hanifah Noordin in March this year. Can the company please clarify?

HeiTech Padu is not in a position to comment further on the matter.

HeiTech Padu and Datasonic are seen as competitors as both vie for e-government projects, particularly related to the home ministry. Did HeiTech Padu participate in any proposed request for proposal (RFP) earlier this year with regard to the MyKad project that was awarded to Datasonic last year?

HeiTech Padu was invited by Datasonic via email to participate in the RFP for the MyKad project and subsequently submitted a proposal.

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