KUALA LUMPUR: Prestariang Bhd will proceed with its Sistem Kawalan Imigresen Nasional (SKIN) project as long as the RM3.5 billion project will not be subject to review by the government.
Group chief executive officer Dr Abu Hasan Ismail said the project would be carried out as per the definitive concession agreement signed on July 18 last year.
SKIN is a border protection control systems which will replace the existing Malaysian Immigration System (myIMMs).
Prestariang was now focused on completing the project on time in 2020, Abu Hassan said when met by reporters after meeting the five-man Council of Eminent Persons here today.
"They (the council members) want to know about SKIN, so we are giving updates on the project to them. We have not received any (instructions for review) yet, and it will continue as stated in the contract," he said, when responding on whether the new government would review or abolish the SKIN implementation.
SKIN, which is expected to be implemented in 2021, is a system designed to empower the country's immigration control system, thus preserving the national border security to meet current and future immigration operation needs.
The enhancements will include enhancing the coordination of the immigration processs in order to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of cross-border crime.
The system will be also be linked to all national gateways, including airports and borders and attache offices overseas.
In July 2017, Prestariang through its subsidiary, Prestariang Skin Sdn Bhd, signed a concession agreement for 15 years with the Home Ministry to replace myMIMs.
Prestariang had said it would receive the payment upon full commissioning of SKIN Solutions, with an average annual payment of RM294.7 million for 12 years, from the fourth to the 15th year, during the maintenance service period.
The company roped in French defence, technology and security firm Thales Communications & Security SAS, and Thales Malaysia Sdn Bhd to carry out the project.