DHAKA: Malaysia home ministry should reject the proposal of Abdul Hakim Hamidi, brother of the country’s Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, for a system to manage recruitment of 1.5m Bangladeshi workers.

Zairil Khir Johari, a lawmaker of Democratic Action Party (DAP) from Bukit Bendera, came up with the observations in a statement on Wednesday.

He further said, “As his (Hakim’s) brother, Zahid is also the home minister and the ultimate approving authority for all foreign workers in our country. It is clear that their vested interest is involved in this issue”.

Indicating Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, the lawmaker further said, “(The Home Ministry) must take Malaysians for fools if it thinks the obvious conflict of interest in this case can be simply glossed over by an assurance that it will evaluate the proposal by the home minister’s brother in a fair and objective manner.”

Hakim’s company, Real Time Networking Sdn Bhd, aims to provide an online management system for Bangladeshi workers, at RM 3,000 (Tk 60,000) per person.

Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had given the home ministry a handwritten note to review the proposal.

The ministry, however, in a statement on Tuesday said the note was not an instruction or approval, and have its assurance that Real Time Networking’s bid would be evaluated fairly.

Meanwhile, Hakim denied suggestions of nepotism, saying that he has experience in IT sector.

He also lamented that Malaysians don’t want him to do any business because his brother is a minister.

Terming the statement by Hakim a mark of his ignorance, Zairil said it also made a mockery of public accountability.

“The fact is that Hakim can do as much business as he wants. It does not involve any government agency or department that any of his direct family members have an interest in,” he added.

Zairil then urged Putrajaya to follow the Penang state government’s example and forbid family members of elected representatives from conducting business with the state.

BDST: 1740 HRS, AUG 12, 2015
SR/RR/SMS