Sikie delivering his ministerial winding-up speech during the DUS sitting on Oct 19, 2026. Photo: Malaysian Information Department (JaPen)

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By Doreen Ling

KUCHING, Oct 19: Employers have been urged to retain direct ownership and control of their Foreign Workers Transformation Approach (FWTA) rather than relying solely on intermediaries whose communications may not reflect the true status of their applications.

According to Minister in the Premier’s Department, Dato Sri John Sikie Tayai, to date, at least four specific cases have been identified in which employers were told by their intermediaries that their work passes were still pending approval, when official system records proved that approvals had already been granted and notifications issued up to a full month earlier.

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“Many of the grievances attributed to the FWTA system do not stem from the platform itself, but from representations made by third-party intermediaries acting on behalf of employers.

“Reports indicate that certain intermediaries have left employers facing prolonged uncertainty through a lack of transparency, lack of understanding of procedures, inadequate communication, and excessive middleman charges,” he said in his ministerial winding-up speech during the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) sitting here today.

He added that this is fundamentally an issue of transparency, accountability, and protecting businesses from unnecessary delays, misinformation, and avoidable third-party fees.

Employers without full control of their account under FWTA are urged to visit their nearest Immigration and Labour Integrated Centre (ILC) in Kuching or Sibu or contact the Immigration and Labour Management Unit (ILMU) directly, to regain immediate access. — DayakDaily