Kuching: I call upon the Sarawak Government, particularly the Premier and the relevant authorities, to explain to the people of Sarawak why the Immigration and Labour Integrated Centres (ILIC) in Sibu and Bintulu, which were reportedly established under the Foreign Worker Transformation and Administration (FWTA) system remain non-operational since 2025.
These buildings were promoted as part of the FWTA ecosystem and were purportedly established to improve services relating to foreign worker management. Yet what the public sees today are buildings standing idle without any meaningful operations, raising concerns that they may have become white elephant projects.
The continued existence of these non-functioning centres raises serious questions as to whether they were genuinely built to serve employers and workers or merely constructed to create the appearance that contractual obligations had been fulfilled. The public is also entitled to know how much was spent on these facilities, who approved the expenditure and what tangible benefits have been delivered to date.
I am made to understand that the original ILIC in Kuching was operated by employees of Socoe Sdn Bhd rather than officers from the Immigration Department or Labour Department. If this is indeed the case, it would mean that a private company is effectively operating under the Sarawak Government’s logo and banner while collecting substantial fees from employers. Such an arrangement warrants full public scrutiny and a clear explanation from the Government.
At the heart of the controversy remains the Sarawak Government’s refusal to disclose the details of the 15-year contract signed with Socoe Sdn Bhd. Despite repeated calls for transparency, the Government continues to withhold the agreement from public examination. This persistent secrecy has only fuelled public suspicion and undermined confidence in the FWTA system.
The Government has also failed to explain why employers are required to pay increasingly high FWTA charges while the State Government itself reportedly does not receive any direct share of at least RM200 million annual revenue collected. Sarawak’s immigration autonomy was never intended to become a vehicle for private profit. It was intended to safeguard Sarawak’s interests and strengthen the State’s ability to manage immigration matters for the benefit of its people and economy.
The refusal to disclose the contract, the existence of non-operational ILIC buildings and the lack of transparency surrounding the flow of FWTA funds have collectively created the perception that Sarawak’s immigration autonomy is being exploited to benefit certain private interests rather than the State itself.
If the FWTA system is truly delivering value to Sarawak, the Government should have no difficulty releasing the full contract, disclosing the financial arrangements and explaining why the ILIC centres in Sibu and Bintulu remain dormant despite repeated claims that the system is efficient and transformative.
Until then, Sarawakians are left with empty buildings, rising charges, unanswered questions, and a state government that appears unwilling to provide straightforward answers on a matter of significant public interest and accountability.
Violet Yong
ADUN for Pending
25 June 2026
