5th Nov 2024: Bloomberg – Bangladesh Asks Malaysia to Arrest Businessmen in Migrant Trafficking Case
Police in Bangladesh have asked the government of Malaysia to arrest and extradite two businessmen as part of a probe of alleged money laundering, extortion, and migrant trafficking of workers.
Original Source: Bloomberg by Anders Melin – 5 November 2024
The men, Aminul Islam and Ruhul Amin, are alleged to have played key roles in a system that “fraudulently extorted money from the victims” and exposed them to “physical and mental torture,” according to the letter dated Oct. 24 that Bangladesh’s branch of Interpol sent to its counterpart in Malaysia.
Bloomberg News reviewed a copy of the letter, which doesn’t say whether the men have been charged. Police Inspector Ashiqur Rahman, who is part of Bangladesh’s Interpol branch, confirmed the contents in a telephone interview on Sunday. A senior Bangladeshi government official, who wasn’t authorized to speak publicly about the matter, also confirmed the letter.
The South Asian nation’s police asked that Malaysia’s government temporarily halt its use of the software provided by Bestinet Sdn., a closely held company that Aminul founded. Malaysian officials have used this software to process and monitor hundreds of thousands of migrant workers from Bangladesh and other countries since at least 2018.
Aminul, who’s commonly known as Amin, was born in Bangladesh and gained Malaysian citizenship more than a decade ago. His lawyer said they had not received any information about the letter and categorically denied the allegations raised in it.
For full article please click here
Additional reading
Important article by PSM/Rani Rasiah 11th Nov 2024 – Extradition call – Justice in sight for migrant worker recruitment fraud victims?
Daily Star 11th Nov 2024: Dhaka, KL must act to end trafficking
FMT 10th Nov 2024: Govt wants Dhaka to clarify extradition request for duo
FMT 7th Nov 2024: Silence not an option, govt told, as Bangladesh seeks duo’s extradition
Free Malaysia Today 6th Nov 2024: Bestinet founder denies misconduct amid report of extradition
Original Source: FMT – 6th November 2024
It was reported that Bangladeshi police had written to Putrajaya requesting the arrest and extradition of Aminul Islam and an associate.
Sourced from: https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2024/11/06/bestinet-founder-denies-misconduct-amid-report-of-extradition/
PETALING JAYA: An IT firm’s founder has rejected suggestions of misconduct after it was reported that Bangladeshi police were seeking his extradition in relation to a probe linked to migrant worker recruitment.
Bloomberg yesterday reported that Bangladeshi police had written to Putrajaya requesting the arrest and extradition of Bestinet Sdn Bhd founder Aminul Islam and an associate, Ruhul Amin, to facilitate investigations into alleged money laundering, extortion and migrant trafficking of workers.
Bestinet has a government contract to provide IT systems for the recruitment of foreign workers, known as the Foreign Workers Centralised Management System (FWCMS). Bangladeshi police have requested Putrajaya to temporarily halt its use.
In a statement, Aminul’s lawyer N Sivananthan said the Bloomberg article’s insinuation that his client or Bestinet might be involved in illegal practices was “completely unfounded”.null
He denied any suggestion linking either Aminul or Bestinet with human trafficking or money laundering.
Sivananthan said neither Aminul nor Bestinet had engaged in recruitment processes or had direct interactions with recruitment agencies or potential hires in Bangladesh or elsewhere.
Bestinet’s role, he said, is strictly limited to providing implementation and technical support for FWCMS.
“Aminul has not, at any point, been involved in activities beyond the officially sanctioned scope of Bestinet’s technology services,” said Sivananthan, adding that Aminul only served as a shareholder at Bestinet.
“Bestinet’s technology is specifically developed to foster transparent and lawful recruitment practices, which are closely monitored and regulated by Malaysian and Bangladeshi government bodies.
“All recruitment decisions remain solely under the purview of the relevant government authorities in Malaysia and Bangladesh… and every aspect of the FWCMS platform operates in full compliance with the Malaysian home ministry and immigration department standards, as well as international guidelines.”
He added that FWCMS features secure measures, including biometric verification, health screening integration, digital tracking of documentation, and secure payment processing, which are designed to protect foreign workers and minimise the risk of exploitation.
Each worker’s documentation is subject to stringent verification, including authentication by the Bangladesh High Commission in Kuala Lumpur, ensuring compliance at multiple levels, Sivananthan said.
Bloomberg reported that according to a letter dated Oct 24 from Bangladesh’s Interpol branch to its Malaysian counterpart, Aminul and Ruhul were alleged to have played a vital role in a migrant worker recruitment system that “fraudulently extorted money from the victims” who were also exposed to physical and mental torture.
The contents of the letter were confirmed with Bangladesh’s Interpol branch and a senior Bangladeshi government official.
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigated Bestinet in 2022 for alleged corruption and abuse of power involving the selection of 25 Bangladeshi agencies for migrant worker recruitment, with Aminul among those questioned.
In September, The Scoop reported that MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki said the investigation was classified as “no further action” after the anti-graft agency found no evidence of criminal activity.
Earlier this year, the home ministry said Bestinet’s contract to provide IT systems for the recruitment of foreign workers had been extended after the existing six-year agreement ended on May 31, 2024. However, home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail did not provide details about the duration of the contract.
The 2022 Auditor-General’s Report, which was released last year, revealed that there were no signed agreements between the government and Bestinet previously, which meant Putrajaya’s rights were unclear.
—-
CNA 6th Nov 2024: Bangladesh asks Malaysia to arrest and extradite 2 businessmen over alleged migrant worker trafficking and extortion (background article)
Original Source: Channel News Asia – 6th November 2024
Founder of Bestinet Sdn Bhd Mohamed Aminul Islam and his associate are alleged to be involved in a money-laundering syndicate exploiting migrant workers, according to a Bloomberg report, allegations which Bestinet deny.
KUALA LUMPUR: Bangladesh police have called on Malaysia to arrest and extradite the founder of a controversial firm managing Malaysia’s migrant worker intake and his associate as part of a probe into alleged money laundering, extortion and trafficking of migrant workers, according to a report.
Bestinet Sdn Bhd founder Mohamed Aminul Islam and Mr Mohamad Ruhul Amin are alleged to be involved in a system that “fraudulently extorted money from the victims” and subjected them to “physical and mental torture”, read a letter dated Oct 24 which Dhaka’s branch of Interpol had sent to its counterpart in Malaysia.
Bangladesh’s request was first reported on Nov 5 by Bloomberg.
Dhaka’s police inspector Ashiqur Rahman who is part of Bangladesh’s Interpol Branch as well as a senior Bangladeshi government official who was not allowed to speak publicly about the matter have both confirmed to Bloomberg the letter was sent to Malaysia.
The letter, however, does not say whether the men have been charged, according to Bloomberg.
Mr Ashiqur added that Malaysian authorities had already responded to the letter by requesting Bangladesh to submit a formal request for extradition. The documents are currently being prepared, he said.
As of Nov 6, Malaysian police and home affairs and foreign affairs ministries have yet to issue any statements on the matter.
Mr Aminul’s lawyer had however told Bloomberg that they have yet to receive any information regarding the letter from the Bangladeshi police and denied the allegations raised in it.
Meanwhile, a representative for Catharsis International – a Dhaka-based recruitment firm for which Mr Ruhul is the sole proprietor – had replied to Bloomberg via email, refuting any allegations and stating that Mr Ruhul has “always been operating legally, legitimately and ethically”.
Mr Aminul, a former Bangladesh national who has taken up Malaysian citizenship, stepped down as chairman of Bestinet in July 2023 but remains a shareholder of the company, according to news outlet Malaysiakini.
Mr Ruhul meanwhile, acts as his representative in Bangladesh.
According to Mr Ashiqur, both Mr Aminul and Mr Ruhul were last sighted in Kuala Lumpur.
Allegations of a Money Laundering Syndicate
In a Malaysiakini report on Sep 23 that is also available on Bestinet’s official website, the company had denied allegations that it was involved in money laundering activities through its founder Mr Aminul.
“Bestinet denies the existence of any syndicate supposedly controlled by Aminul or anyone else within our jurisdiction,” Bestinet’s current chief executive officer Ismail Mohd Noor told Malaysiakini on Sep 23, adding that Mr Aminul is no longer involved in any part of Bestinet’s operations.
On Sep 18, Bangladesh media outlet Prothom Alo reported that both Mr Aminul and Mr Ruhul were involved as “controllers” of a money laundering syndicate made of 100 agencies that could continue sending migrant workers to enter Malaysia, although recruitment agencies are no longer allowed to send workers to Malaysia since May this year.
Malaysia’s Home Affairs Ministry had set the entry deadline of May 31 after tens of thousands of Bangladeshi migrant workers had become victims of an extensive labour scam in Malaysia whereby they had to pay up to US$5,000 upfront for jobs that did not exist, forcing them to work illegally to pay debts, according to South China Morning Post.
According to local recruitment agency owners in Bangladesh, cited in Prothom Alo, the official registration fee per worker is 2,700 Bangladeshi taka (US$22.59) but workers have been charged a fee of around 107,000 Bangladeshi taka by the syndicate.
Prothom Alo reported that while 7,000 Bangladeshi taka is obtained by a local collection agency, the remaining 100,000 Bangladeshi taka is sent to Bestinet, through “illegal channels” as a “syndicate fee”. And a sum of 50 billion Bangladeshi taka has been laundered this way, as reported by Prothom Alo.
Mr Ismail refuted claims of the exorbitant application fee reported by the Bangladeshi local media.
“We do not charge any syndicate fees. We only collect the amount allowed by the Malaysian government,” Mr Ismail said, as quoted by Malaysiakini.
On Jun 20, Prothom Alo also reported that Mr Ruhul had denied allegations of money laundering.
“Why will everyone give me money, am I so powerful? Aminul Islam is also a businessman. How will the businessmen have control over the labour market?” he was quoted as saying by Prothom Alo.
According to Bloomberg, the Bangladeshi police had also requested for Malaysia to temporarily halt Bestinet’s proprietary IT system, the Foreign Workers Centralised Management System (FWCMS).
The Malaysian Immigration Department has utilised the FWCMS platform to monitor and consolidate visa applications from 15 countries (including Bangladesh) exporting labour to Malaysia since 2013.
Related:
Controversial firm managing Malaysia’s migrant worker intake set to renew contract for 3 years under strict terms
Anti-Graft Crackdown in Bangladesh
CNA reported on Aug 27 that the anti-graft crackdown in Bangladesh on the alleged syndicates operating in the export of labour could have serious ramifications for Malaysia.
The country is host to more than 400,000 documented Bangladesh workers and several thousands more who enter the country illegally, and they make up one of the largest country proportions of foreign workers in the world, which collectively account for roughly 30 per cent of the national workforce that is estimated at 17 million people.
Bangladesh journalists covering the corruption crackdown and executives in Dhaka-based recruitment agencies told CNA in August that the central aim of the crackdown by the ACC is to dismantle a network comprising Bangladesh and Malaysian businesses that has a stranglehold over the recruitment of foreign labour and a major player is Bestinet.
Related:
Commentary: Anwar faces political tricky situation in tackling migrant labour issues
Corruption crackdown in Bangladesh sends tremors through Malaysia’s migrant labour ecosystem
Malaysia’s bid to revamp hiring of foreign workers faces pushback; activists say country’s reputation at stake
6th Nov 2024: Malaysiakini – Amid extradition call, Bestinet founder denies money laundering claim
Sourced from: Malaysiakini – 6th November 2024
Controversial firm Bestinet Sdn Bhd and its founder Aminul Islam Abdul Nor have refuted allegations in a Bloomberg report yesterday that they have links to money laundering or human trafficking.
Bloomberg reported that the Bangladesh government sent a letter to the Malaysian authorities seeking the arrest and extradition of Bangladesh-born Malaysian citizen Aminul Islam and a Bangladeshi associate Ruhul Amin, on charges of money laundering, extortion and migrant worker trafficking.
The information was confirmed by the officer serving Interpol in Bangladesh, who also said the Malaysian authorities had replied to ask Bangladesh to send in a formal request, Bloomberg reported yesterday.
Although he did not directly address the extradition issue, Bestinet and Aminul’s lawyer N Sivanathan in a statement today said the article made false insinuation.
“The recent article’s insinuations that Aminul or Bestinet might be involved in illegal practices are completely unfounded.
“Bestinet’s technology is specifically developed to foster transparent and lawful recruitment practices, which are closely monitored and regulated by Malaysian and Bangladeshi government bodies.
“Every aspect of the Foreign Worker Central Management System (FWCMS) platform operates in full compliance with the Malaysian Home Ministry and Immigration Department standards, as well as international guidelines,” he said.
He added that the entire process involves stringent checks, including authentication by the Bangladesh Embassy in Malaysia “ensuring compliance at multiple levels”.
“Aminul has not, at any point, been involved beyond the officially sanctioned scope of Bestinet’s technology services,” the lawyer said.
Migrant workers must go through FWCMS to enter Malaysia, and Bestinet collects a processing fee of RM100 each from workers.
Bestinet retained earnings of RM128 million and made RM85 million in profits out of RM138.92 million in revenue in the financial year ending Dec 31, 2022, its accounts filed with the Companies Commission Malaysia showed.
PAC’s findings
However, the Public Accounts Committee found that the FWCMS has been operating since 2015 without a formal contract with the government.
There was, however, a letter of acceptance for the development of the FWCMS system on Jan 12, 2018.
“This means that the government/Home Ministry has used the FWCMS system for approximately six years without a finalised contract, clearly violating the regulations set by the government,” the PAC said in a statement.
It also found security and governance issues, where the system was vulnerable to hacking and that user accounts which should only be held by government staff were accessed by unauthorised individuals.
This included 24 unauthorised users who had approved 24 employer applications.
Despite the issues, the government in June decided to extend the use of the FWCMS for another three years, with improvements to its governance.
Malaysiakini 5th Nov 2024: Bangladesh wants M’sia to extradite Bestinet founder, associate
Bangladesh police have called on Malaysia to arrest and extradite Bestinet founder Aminul Islam Abdul Nor and his associate Ruhul Amin, allegedly on charges of money laundering, extortion and trafficking of migrant workers.
Aminul was the founding chairperson of Bestinet, the company which runs the controversial and lucrative Foreign Worker Central Management System (FWCMS), which the Malaysian government used to process the entry of hundreds of thousands of migrant workers.
Aminul, a Bangladesh-born naturalised Malaysian, is no longer serving as chairperson but still holds shares in the company.
Ruhul, a Bangladeshi national, runs Catharsis International, a Bangladeshi firm also involved in migrant worker management.
The duo are accused of playing key roles in a system which “fraudulently extorted money from the victims” and exposed them to “physical and mental torture”, according to a letter dated Oct 24 sent from Bangladesh’s branch of Interpol to its Malaysian counterpart, which was sighted by Bloomberg.
Bangladesh police officer Ashiqur Rahman, who is part of the country’s Interpol branch, confirmed the letter’s veracity, the news agency reported.
Ashiqur said Malaysian authorities replied to the letter requesting the Bangladesh police to submit a formal extradition request.
Those documents are underway, he added.
The Bangladeshi police’s request is part of a wider investigation into middlepersons and lawmakers involved in sending workers from Bangladesh to Malaysia, Bloombergreported.
In September, Aminul and Ruhul were accused of money laundering in an exposé by Bangladeshi news site Prothom Alo.
At the time, when contacted by Malaysiakini, Bestinet denied the allegations while Ruhul told Prothom Alo he did not do anything illegal.
Aminul did not respond to requests for comment.
The MACC also cleared Bestinet of the allegations.
On Oct 17, Tengku Muda of Pahang Tengku Abdul Rahman Sultan Ahmad Shah resigned from his position as a director of Bestinet, 16 months after assuming the role last June.
Red-flagged by PAC
The company came under the spotlight after it was found operating the lucrative system without a proper agreement with the government.
Migrant workers must go through FWCMS to enter Malaysia, and Bestinet collects a processing fee of RM100 from each worker.
According to its 2022 accounts, tabled to the Companies Commission in June last year, Bestinet retained earnings of RM128 million and made RM85 million in profits out of RM138.92 million in revenue for the financial year ending Dec 31, 2022.
However, in July, the parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) found that despite making a lot of money from the FWCMS, there was no contract signed between the government and Bestinet.
There was, however, a letter of acceptance for the development of the FWCMS system on Jan 12, 2018.
“This means that the government/Home Ministry used the FWCMS system for approximately six years without a finalised contract, clearly violating government regulations,” the PAC said in a statement.
In June, the cabinet agreed to extend Bestinet’s contract for another three years, but with improvements in governance.
Oct 21st 2024 BBS: Ex-minister Imran Ahmad on 3-day remand in human trafficking case
DHAKA, Oct 21, 2024 (BSS) – A court here today placed former expatriates’ welfare and overseas employment minister Imran Ahmad on three-day remand in a case lodged over human trafficking and embezzling Taka 24,000 crore by creating manpower recruiting syndicates
See also as background – HERE
Additional Reading:
UCA News 7th Oct 2024: Ending Bangladeshi workers’ Malaysian plight is a test for their leaders
Daily Star 6th Oct 2024: Anwar ibrahim’s visit: A chance to root out graft from labour hiring
SCMP 5th Oct 2024: Malaysia must slash fees, smash cartels to reopen Bangladesh labour market – rights groups
5th Oct 2024: Benar News – Malaysia’s PM Anwar promises Bangladeshi migrant workers will be treated fairly
Reuters Oct 4th 2024: Malaysia PM Anwar Ibrahim to visit Bangladesh, focus on labour issues
Benar News Oct 4th 2024: PM pledges priority for Bangladesh migrant workers who missed out
Daily Star Oct 5th 2024: Diplomacy – Malaysia entry debacle – Anwar Ibrahim to consider issue of Bangladeshi workers
Daily Star Oct 5th 2024: Amending MoU on Malaysia-bound Bangladeshi workers can bring a sea change
Daily Star 5th Oct 2024:
Labour Export – President seeks support from Malaysia
New Age Oct 5th 2024: Malaysian PM pledges new entry of 18,000 migrant workers from Bangladesh
Background Reading:
20th Sept 2024: Prothmalo – Aminul and Ruhul Amin involved in alleged migrant worker syndicate money ‘laundering’ to Malaysia
20th Sept 2024: Scoop – MACC’s Bestinet probe is ‘NFA’, no proof of other money-laundering claims: Azam Baki
20th Sept 2024: Malaysiakini – Bestinet denies money laundering allegations
Daily Star Sept 7th 2024: Dismantling the recruitment syndicate for Malaysian labour market
FMT 7th July 2024: Use independent experts for migrant system audit, says anti-graft group
MALAYSIAKINI 6th July 2024 C4CENTER COMMENT: Massive migrant labour recruiting issues, cops must probe
NST 6th July 2024: Probe foreign labour recruitment misgovernance highlighted by PAC, govt urged
FMT 6th July 2024: Anti-corruption watchdog demands action over govt-Bestinet deal
Malay Mail 6th July 2024: Home minister says will review PAC criticism over migrant worker system launched without contract
Star 5th July 2024: Mutual termination clause in Bestinet contract puts Putrajaya in ‘challenging position’, says Public Accounts Committee report
4th July 2024 BSS News – Expatriates Minister Shofiqur directs returning money to workers who failed to go to Malaysia
4th July 2024 New Age – Bangladeshi Agencies must refund workers unable to go to Malaysia by July 18: ministry
FMT 4th July 2024: Govt urged to heed PAC’s call on migrant worker system
Star 4th July 2024: Human Resources Ministry to conduct internal audit
Star 4th July 2024: PAC uncovers serious flaws
FMT 3rd July 2024: Decide quickly on direction of migrant worker system in Malaysia, Public Accounts Committee tells govt
Vibes 3rd July 2024: Foreign worker management system operating 6 years without a contract
3rd July 2024: The Edge – Public Accounts Committee chastises govt for running foreign worker recruitment system for six years without contract
Malaysiakini 3rd July 2024: BESTINET Probe – Public Accounts Committee chief says ‘Datuk Amin’ not among witnesses
3rd July 2024: The Star – Bestinet told Public Accounts Committee unauthorised users were approved by HR Ministry personnel, report shows
FMT 2nd July 2024: Tenaganita letter to Editor – TIP upgrade no cause for celebration just yet
30th June 2024: Somoy News – Bangladeshi High Court orders disclosure of action on Malaysia migrant worker scam (with 500,000+ victims) in 7 days
Malay Mail 25th June 2024: Home minister sees good things for Malaysian businesses after upgrade to US trafficking ranking
The Star 25th June 2024: Malaysia will strive to reach Tier 1 in Trafficking In Persons report, says Saifuddin
Scoop 25th June 2024: Nation’s improved Tier 2 human trafficking ranking ‘dangerously misleading’, says activist
See also MALAYSIAKINI 25th June 2024: M’sia doesn’t deserve Tier 2 in US human trafficking ranking – activist
Daily Star 26th June 2024: Rights activists criticise Malaysia’s improved ranking
See also Benar News 24th June 2024: Malaysia advances in US State Dept’s world rankings for anti-human trafficking efforts
See also FMT 24th June 2024: Malaysia upgraded to Tier 2 in US human trafficking report
See also Benarma 25th June 2024: Malaysia upgraded to Tier 2 in U.S. TIP Report
See also Focus Malaysia 25th June 2024: Migrant workers’ activist – Malaysia doesn’t deserve Tier 2 upgrade in 2024 US human trafficking report
See also 25th June 2024: Home Ministry welcomes country’s Tier 2 upgrade on Trafficking in Persons 2024 report
See also FMT 25th June 2024: Home ministry open to working with NGOs against human trafficking
See also Star 25th June 2024: Malaysia upgraded to Tier 2 in latest Trafficking in Persons report
SCMP 25th June 2024: Malaysia’s upgrade in US human trafficking index decried as ‘disappointing’ amid migrant worker woes
24th June 2024 Exclusive Analysis: CNA – Extension of Malaysia’s controversial migrant labour ecosystem (involving BESTINET) a blow to PM Anwar’s reform agenda
See New Strait Times 24th June 2024: Malaysian Government Forms Committee to Review Terms of Bestinet’s 3 Year Extension
FMT 24th June 2024: Bestinet contract extended, confirms Saifuddin – ‘Home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail says the Cabinet decided in principle on the extension ‘several weeks ago’.
Malay Mail 24th June 2024: Home Minister – Bestinet keeps foreign worker system contract for three more years, but with stricter terms
Bernama News 24th June 2024: Committee set up to Peruse Terms and Conditions of BESTINET Contract
FMT 24th June 2024: Bestinet to surrender control of workers management system under new deal
FMT 24th June 2024: Bestinet should be phased out eventually, says ex-MP
Malaysianist 18th June 2024: Minting money from a migrant services monopoly (click to subscribe for full article)
9th June 2024 Daily Star – Labour Recruitment from Bangladesh to Malaysia: Syndicate wins, migrants suffer, country loses(excellent summary how bad triumphed, carnage resulted – Bangladesh and Malaysia MUST be downgraded to Tier 3 in the upcoming U.S. TIP report!)
Dhaka Tribune 11th June 2024: Deadline extended for Malaysia migration hurdle complaints
Business Standard 11th June: Unrest within Baira over Malaysian labour market, ruckus in AGM as committee members assaulted
Observer 9th June 2024: Around 2,900 complaints lodged by deprived Malaysia-bound migrants
Malaysianist 6th June 2024: The fat cat ruling the Malaysian migrant services roost(allegations of systemic corruption involving Malaysia’s migrant worker management systems – click to subscribe)
Business Standard 5th June 2024: Govt to take action over failure in sending workers to Malaysia: PM Hasina
4th June 2024 Daily Star (Op Ed): Break the syndicates, not the dreams of Malaysia-bound workers
SCMP 4th June 2024 – In Malaysia, business and human rights must go hand in hand, UN rights chief says in KL press conference against backdrop of systemic migrant worker abuses
New Straits Times 4th June 2024: Human rights-centric practices essential for foreign investment, says UN
4th June 2024 Business Standard: NHRC orders probe into alleged embezzlement of Tk150cr from Malaysia-bound workers
4th June 2024 Business Standard: 47,809 Bangladeshis flew to Malaysia in May – highest since labour market reopened in 2022
Daily Sun 3rd June: IRREGULARITIES IN MIGRATION TO MALAYSIA – Recruiting agencies never made accountable(good historical summary)
Business Standard 4th June 2024:Dhaka-20, Feni-2 MPs deny allegations of involvement in embezzling money from Malaysia-bound workers
SCMP 3rd June 2024: ‘Nothing left for me’ as thousands of Bangladeshi workers lose everything in failed bid to work in Malaysia
Daily Star Editorial 3rd June 2024: Must our migrants pay the price every time?
Prothomalo 3rd June 2024 – Bangladesh Labour market: Hapless workers lose all vying to go to Malaysia
Daily Sun 3rd June 2024: IRREGULARITIES IN MIGRATION TO MALAYSIA: Recruiting agencies never made accountable
FMT 3rd June 2024: 17,000 Bangladeshi workers stranded, Dhaka pleads for time
Daily Star 3rd June 2024: 16,970 Bangladeshis failed to reach Malaysia for mismanagement, more destitution and modern slavery will result
Daily Star 3rd June 2024 – Bangladeshi Migrant Worker Exploitation and Malaysian Labour Market Alleged Criminal Syndicate: The agencies picked by KL to blame, Bangladesh tells UN OHCHR
Daily Star 2nd June 2024: Controversial recruitment system to stay 3 more years
Daily Star 2nd June – Jobs in Malaysia: Mismanagement left over 3k workers with no ticket to KL
Daily Star 1st June 2024: Must history repeat itself with the Malaysian labour market’s alleged criminal syndicate trafficking Bangladeshi migrant workers for forced labour
MALAYSIAKINI June 1st 2024: Controversial worker management system BESTINET gets new lease, sources say
1st June 2024 Kalerkantho: Malaysia’s dream ends in deprivation for Bangladeshi migrant workers of criminal syndicate
FMT 31st May 2024: Expect Bangladeshi workers to be stranded and at high risk of modern slavery following Malaysian migration management deadline rush, warns activist
SCMP 31st May 2024: Malaysians shocked by thousands of Bangladeshis crowding at airport to beat deadline for legal work, as UN and activists warn of increased modern slavery risks
CNA 31st May 2024: Over 30,000 workers set to miss deadline to enter Malaysia even as officials clear backlog at KL airport
Prothomalo 31 May 2024 – Bangladesh – Malaysia’s labour market: Repeated syndicates, repeated closure
Prothomalo 31st May 2024: Bangladesh – Thousands of people crowded Dhaka airport without flight tickets to go to Malaysia
31st May 2024 FMT: Govt reaffirms commitment to protect migrant workers’ rights to UN
31st May 2024: The closure of the labor market in Malaysia has shattered the dreams of 31,000 workers
Daily Star 31 May 2024 – Recruitment in Malaysia: Syndicate siphons over $1b out of Bangladesh
Daily Sun 31st May 2024: Biman sends 2,000 migrant workers to Malaysia
Business Standard 31st May 2024: Malaysia-bound workers scammed, stranded at Dhaka airport as deadline set to expire today
Daily Star 30th May 2024: Manpower syndicates beyond Dhaka-KL control
CNA 30th May 2024: ‘Congestion’ at KL airport as employers scramble to bring in thousands of migrant workers before deadline
MALAYSIAKINI 30th May 2023: ‘Migrants influx at KLIA due to employers chasing deadline’
30th May 2024 Benar News: Malaysia’s labor market closed – Migrant workers flock to airports in all countries
29th May Daily Star: Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia – Hiring begins with bribery (UN independent experts say Bangladeshi workers pay up to 8 times for migration alone due to corruption of Malaysia ministries, Bangladesh mission and syndicates)
29th May Daily Star: Airfare to Malaysia surges fivefold
FMT 28th May 2024: Malaysia yet to respond to UN concerns on alleged criminal syndicate trafficking Bangladeshi migrant victims for forced labour in the country(with my full statement included)
30th May Star: Cyclone smashes Bangladeshi workers’ hopes, extension requested
Channel News Asia 25th May 2024: Malaysia’s bid to revamp hiring of foreign workers through controversial BESTINET process faces pushback; activists say country’s reputation at stake
20th May 2024 FMT: Duped Bangladeshi workers won’t impact Malaysia’s US Human trafficking report ranking, says HR Minister Sim
Malay Mail 17th May 2024: Pengerang employer to face Labour Court in Malaysia after failing for months to pay Bangladeshi workers’ wages over RM1m (government statements and my comments included – months on, court agreed mediation settlement unforced, workers allegedly remain in situation akin to acute modern slavery)
16th May 2024: Firm that left over 700 Bangladeshi workers to dry in Pengerang facing possible prosecution (months on, court agreed mediation settlement unforced, workers allegedly remain in situation akin to acute modern slavery)
14th May 2024: FMT – Activists warn of US trafficking report downgrade for Malaysia amid UN criticism
9th May 2024: Study: 96% of Bangladeshi workers going to Malaysia fall into recruitment debt– The study also said that 82% had two or more loans and 73% of workers spent at least 50% to 100% of their monthly salary to repay recruitment debts
4th May 2024: UN agencies concerned over Bangladeshi workers stranded in Malaysia – Joint Statement of ILO, IOM and UNODC on Alleged Criminal Syndicate Trafficking Bangladeshi Workers for Forced Labour in Malaysia
24th April 2024: Address plight of duped Bangladeshi migrant workers in Malaysia in response to UN warning, govt told (more on the ongoing saga of an alleged criminal syndicate trafficking Bangladeshi migrant workers for forced labour in Malaysia)
FMT 19th April 2024: UN experts sound alarm over plight of duped Bangladeshi migrants in Malaysia
For more on Andy Hall’s complaint to the OHCHR see 30th Oct 2023: FMT: Andy Hall refers stranded Bangladeshi workers’ plight in Malaysia to UN Human Rights Council
See Daily Star 23rd Apr 2024: Bangladesh Plight of Migrant Workers – Bangladesh, Malaysia working group meeting likely in May
See Daily Star Editorial 23rd Apr 2024: When even legal migrants suffer – Workers migrating to Malaysia legally deserve better protection
Business Standard 23rd April 2024: Expat Ministry reviews UN complaints on Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia
Prothomalo 23rd April 2024: Bangladesh – Ministry reviewing allegations over Malaysia labour market
BenarNews Malay Language: Pakar PBB gesa Malaysia tangani layanan buruk diterima pekerja Bangladesh (UN expert urges Malaysia to handle bad treatment received by Bangladeshi workers)
Daily Star 19th Apr 2024: UN experts express dismay over situation of Bangladeshi migrants in Malaysia
FMT 19th Apr 2024: PSM, news portal set aside order to stop debate on migrant workers’ plight
Daily Star Editorial 17th April 2024: Save our migrants in Malaysia (more on the crisis caused by an alleged criminal syndicate trafficking Bangladeshi workers for forced labour in Malaysia)
9th April 2024 The Star – Bangladeshi victims of criminal syndicate trafficking worked for forced labour in Malaysia: ‘Cops after workers, not rogue employers’
7th April 2024: SCMP – As Malaysia’s door closes on low-paid migrant workers, companies scramble for staff (and a systemically corrupt migration management and recruitment policy, devoid of the rule of law and leading to impunity and gross exploitation, is revealed)
6th April 2024 Daily Star: A hostel of nightmares for Bangladeshi migrants allegedly trafficked by criminal syndicate for forced labour in Malaysia (and Daily Star Op Ed)
Daily Star Editorial 6th Apr 2024: What will happen to migrants abandoned in Malaysia?
26th March 2024: The Star – Freeze on foreign workers hiring quota in Malaysia stays for now, says HR Minister (with estimated 200,000+ surplus foreign workforce victims facing destitution and abuse)
Daily Star 25th Mar: Malaysia employer framed Bangladeshi workers
Daily Star 24th Mar 2024: Jailed in Malaysia – 3 Bangladesh workers released
Editorial Prothomalo 24th Mar 2024: Malaysian labour market – Take action against the fraud syndicate
FMT 23rd March 2024: PSM calls on Sim to look into arrest of Bangladeshi workers
MALAYSIAKINI 23 Mar 2024: Stranded foreign workers (alleged victims of criminal syndicate trafficking Bangladeshi workers for forced labour in Malaysia) nabbed after labour complaints against employer
23rd March 2024 The Star: Half a million vulnerable and irregular foreign workers disappear from Malaysia’s migrant worker regularization programme as deadline looms in one week
23 Mar 2024 The Star: Verification rate lags as RTK 2.0 deadline approaches
22nd March 2024 Malay Mail: Home minister – Over RM9m in fines collected so far through migrant repatriation programme
22nd March 2024 Protomalo: Malaysian labour market set to be closed again due to syndication
20th March 2024: 93 duped/detained Bangladeshi migrant workers in Malaysia have jobs now, says immigration DG
20th Mar 2024 Business Standard: Bangladeshi workers’ plight in Malaysia: Coalition of migration orgs demand action against recruiting agency syndicate
19th March 2024: FMT – Plantation firms wary of ‘forced labour’ concerns in hiring 200,000 surplus foreign workers/criminal syndicate victims in Malaysia, says minister – indeed he’s right, who wants to take on destitute foreign workers often with US$4-7000 in debt?
17th March 2024: FMT – Malaysia’s treatment of migrant workers utterly shameful
New Age 16th Mar 2024: Bangladeshi government must mend issues to keep Malaysia job market open
15th March 2024 SCMP: Malaysians deride minister’s idea to rebrand palm oil workers as ‘specialised harvesters’
14th March 2024: The Star – Opinion: When work in Malaysia is a con – the criminal syndicate trafficking Bangladeshis for forced labour in Malaysia
FMT 13th March 2024: Bangladeshi migrants file police reports after falling victim to job scam/criminal syndicate trafficking workers from Bangladesh for forced labour in Malaysia
12th March 2024: SCMP – Malaysia to slash migrant workforce amid intolerance, job scam crisis involving Bangladeshi labourers
Daily Star Editorial 10th March 2024: Migrating to a life of unemployment
Daily Star 10th Mar 2024: Distressed in Malaysia – Thousands of Bangladeshi migrants jobless, unpaid or underpaid
9th March 2024: Malay Mail – Activists warn rushed 31st March visa deadline in Malaysia could force firms to source foreign workers unethically (includes my commentary on the abrupt policy change)
9th Mar 2024 The Star: No extension of May 31 foreign worker deadline
NST 9th Mar 2024: Keep recruitment agencies in a list rather than shutting them down, govt told
See also NST 9th Mar 2024: Sourcing migrant workers takes time, ‘not like buying cattle’, employer groups tell govt
NST 8th Mar 2024: Eliminate middlemen from migrant worker recruitment process, govt told
Star 8th Mar 2024: May 31 deadline for foreign workers recruitment under recalibration programme remains, says Saifuddin
Malay Mail 8th Mar 2024: Saifuddin Nasution: No more agents for Bangladeshi worker recruitment
6th Mar 2024: Malaysian government halts foreign worker entry into the country from 31st May 2024 (final calling visa/VDN approval issuance deadline 31st March 2024) as migrant worker management crisis worsens and victims of gross exploitation, unemployment and destitution rise significantly
6th March 2024: Business Times –Sudden change in foreign worker policy by Malaysian government leaves industry in limbo
6th Mar 2024 Edge: Foreign worker intake deadline changes will leave manufacturers in the lurch, says FMM
6th Mar 2024 FMT: Industry players shocked by foreign worker policy change, says FMM
Mar 5 2024: NCCIM urges govt to review unused foreign worker quota deadline
FMT 3rd Mar 2024: Ensure ‘crooks’ do not gain from repatriation programme, says activist
Mar 2nd 2024 The Star: A chance for illegals to go home
Mar 2nd 2024 The Star: Sarawak immigration extends RTK2.0 until June
Mar 1st 2024 FMT: 600,000 foreign workers urged to take easy exit home
Mar 1st 2024 The Star: Use repatriation programme to return home, 600,000 illegals told
Feb 28th 2024 The Star: New programme lets migrants off the hook without being prosecuted
Feb 25th 2024 The Star: Businesses want foreign worker hiring freeze lifted
Jan 31st 2024 NST: Govt to implement Migrant Repatriation Programme starting March
Jan 31st 2024 The Edge: Cabinet agrees to extend freeze on hiring of foreign workers, says home minister
31st Jan 2024 FMT: Migrant repatriation programme set for March 1
31st Jan 2024 The Star: Migration Repatriation Programme to commence on March 1, says Home Ministry
FMT 6th Jan 2024: 171 duped migrant workers deserve compensation, govt told (includes my full statement)
5th Jan 2024: New Strait Times – MCA: Don’t just fine employers, hold ministry accountable as well for unemployed foreign workers
FMT 30th Dec 2023: Migrants being duped into Malaysia because of govt’s failure to curb criminal trafficking syndicates and organised crime network, says activist Andy Hall
30th Dec 2023: New Strait Times – Recruitment agencies accused of deception as Bangladeshi victims speak out on exploitation and fear
29th Dec 2023: Malay Mail – Set up probe on exploitation of migrant workers and new ministry to manage their affairs, Suhakam tells Putrajaya
28th Dec 2023: FMT – Malaysia has entered ‘slave labour’ territory, says ex-MP – Charles Santiago calls for specific set-ups to manage migrant workers
27th Dec 2023: New Strait Times – MTUC demand govt, MACC probe into corrupt recruitment practices of foreign workers
26th Dec 2023: FMT – High recruitment fees make greedy agents bring in workers, says group
25th Dec 2023: FMT – Probe recruitment agents, MACC told after arrest of Bangladeshis
22nd Nov 2023: MALAYSIAKINI – Full probe of migrant worker syndicate, Malaysian HR Minister Sivakumar says
9th Nov 2023: Malaysia – The State of the Nation: Flaws of foreign worker system laid bare in declassified report
30th Oct 2023: FMT: Andy Hall refers stranded Bangladeshi workers’ plight in Malaysia to UN Human Rights Council
20th Oct 2023 Malaysiakini: Long-awaited foreign worker management report declassified in Malaysia (my comments added)
19th Oct 2023: Malaysia facing huge excess of 1/4 million migrant laborers
21st Sep 2023: Malaysian government has 15 source countries for foreign workers – Comments by Andy Hall
20th Sep 2023: Rate of abused Bangladeshi workers’ entry into Malaysia worrying, says migrant rights activist Andy Hall
Aljazeera News TV 10th July 2023 – Migrants in Malaysia: Hundreds left stranded in recruitment scam
