Kuching: It is encouraging that more and more parties are finally speaking up on the Foreign Worker Transformation Approach (FWTA) and SANSOLS issue, as this clearly demonstrates that the concerns raised are not isolated but are shared by many employers, industry players and stakeholders who are directly affected. However, despite growing public concern, the Sarawak Government must answer the fundamental questions that remain unresolved instead of avoiding the core issues.
The debate should not be reduced merely to whether employers pay RM1,854, RM500, or whether the State Government absorbs part of the cost. The real issue is whether a core immigration-related administrative function should be outsourced through private entities without full transparency, accountability and legal basis. If the State Government eventually absorbs the cost, this would merely shift the financial burden from employers to taxpayers without addressing the fundamental concerns surrounding the arrangement.
If SANSOLS is genuinely intended to function as a key public administrative system for workforce and immigration management, the Sarawak Government must explain why it was not developed and operated directly by the relevant government agencies from the outset.
More importantly, the Sarawak Government must disclose the identity of the company awarded the main Public-Private Partnership (PPP) contract to develop and operate the SANSOLS/FWTA system. To date, this has never been made public.
The public should understand that FWTA Sdn Bhd is only the appointed subcontractor responsible for implementation and fee collection under the project. The key question remains which company secured the main PPP award, what are the terms of the agreement and what is the legal basis for the arrangement?
How was the company selected? Was there an open tender process, a request for proposal or was the contract awarded directly? Why has there been no public disclosure despite the significant financial burden imposed on employers since the system was implemented in January 2025?
At RM1,854 per foreign worker approval, the fees collected could easily exceed RM200 million annually. Given the magnitude of the amount involved, it is entirely legitimate to ask who ultimately benefits from this arrangement and whether there are any direct or indirect relationships between the private entities involved and individuals in positions of influence or power.
The Government must also explain what assessment was conducted before implementation to determine the effectiveness, efficiency and practicality of the SANSOLS system. Were pilot runs conducted, and were employers, industry groups and stakeholders adequately consulted before such a major system affecting Sarawak’s labour ecosystem was introduced?
“The central issue remains transparency and accountability. Whether the cost is borne by employers or eventually shifted to taxpayers, the Sarawak Government must explain why a key immigration and labour administration function has been structured in a manner that allows a subcontractor, FWTA Sdn Bhd, to collect substantial fees without full public disclosure of the principal PPP contract, procurement process, ownership structure and cost justification.”
If the Sarawak Government believes this system is necessary and in the best interest of Sarawak, then it should have no difficulty providing full answers to the people.
Violet Yong
ADUN for Pending
30 May 2026
