Kuching: DAPSY Sarawak Treasurer Lesley Chong has called on the Sarawak Government and its coalition partners to break their silence over the Foreign Worker Transformation Approach (FWTA) and provide clear answers to employers and the public.
She said concerns over FWTA and SANSOLS had not disappeared simply because the issue was no longer dominating headlines, with employers now raising fresh complaints over the RM324 charge for every FWTA ID Card.
Chong questioned what tangible improvements FWTA had delivered since its introduction, noting that the system was supposed to streamline foreign worker management.
“If employers are still facing additional procedures, costs and inconvenience, the Sarawak Government must demonstrate clearly what tangible improvements FWTA has delivered,” she said.
She questioned whether the system had reduced duplication between agencies, improved enforcement, or made the process easier for employers and foreign workers.
“If there are genuine improvements, there should be no difficulty in publishing the relevant data and demonstrating them to the public,” she said.
Chong also questioned why the public-private partnership (PPP) agreement related to FWTA had not been made public.
She said FWTA should not be treated purely as a private commercial arrangement because it involves a system imposed on Sarawakian employers and businesses.
“What services is SANSOLS contractually required to provide? Are there performance indicators, and what happens if the company fails to deliver?” she asked.
She also questioned why the Government chose a private company when Sarawak Information Systems (SAINS), a state-owned entity with experience in government-related digital systems, already exists.
Chong said the Government should explain what specific capabilities the private company provides that SAINS does not.
“If outsourcing FWTA provides better technology, lower costs, stronger security and better services, the Government should have no problem making that case publicly,” she said.
She stressed that the questions raised were legitimate and reasonable, urging the Government to respond openly and take concrete action on unresolved concerns surrounding FWTA.
