KUALA LUMPUR: The Home Ministry will ask the Malaysian High Commission in Bangladesh for an in depth report over allegations that four former Bangladeshi government members of parliament embezzled Tk24,000 crore (RM8.9 billion) under the pretext of sending workers to Malaysia.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said they would call all relevant authorities involved for a complete and comprehensive report on the matter.
"This starts with our High Commission there. We will ask Wisma Putra to contact them for the latest information on the case.
"We will also engage the Human Resources Ministry on the issue, as the quota for foreign workers is under them," he told reporters after attending the 2024 Police Special Dialogue today.
Saifuddin said they will also call on agencies under the Home Ministry such as the Immigration Department as the issuance of Visas was under their purview.
"It goes without saying that what was revealed needs serious attention.
"On one hand, we allow the intake of foreign workers for five critical sectors as without them, our country's economy will be affected," he said, adding that in the process of bringing in foreign workers such issues were reported to be occurring.
Saifuddin said as a one of the ministries involved in the intake of foreign workers, news of such arrests must be given attention.
It was reported that the syndicate, reportedly comprising former finance minister A.H.M. Mustafa Kamal, Lieutenant General (Rtd) Masud Uddin Chowdhury and former MPs Nizam Uddin Hazari and Benazir Ahmed, is alleged to have sent about 450,000 workers abroad within just 18 months, and many of these workers were unable to secure employment and returned home empty-handed.
The Bangladesh Anti Corruption Commission had formed a three-member investigation team, led by its deputy director Nurul Huda, to investigate the illegal assets and activities of those involved, the 'Dhaka Tribune' reported.
Sources indicated that the syndicate operated with the help of senior officials from the Bangladeshi and Malaysian governments.
Despite the government-set cost being Tk79,000 (RM2,886.50), workers were charged an average of Tk544,000 (RM19,876.67) to secure jobs in Malaysia.
The syndicate allegedly amassed Tk24,000 crore (RM8.9billion) through overcharging, while the Bangladeshi Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Ministry allegedly failed to intervene, but instead facilitated the syndicate's operations.