He described such a move as “nonsensical”, saying it would be easier and cheaper to hire foreigners who were already in Malaysia.

Speaking to FMT, he lamented that FGV “would rather pay exorbitant prices” to bring new foreign workers into the country.

He acknowledged that the move would bring business to Malaysian labour brokers but added that it would “undoubtedly” lead to corruption.

He urged FGV to instead use the “so-called undocumented foreign workers” and refugees who are already in the country, adding that many of them had the required skills

“There are people making money from the hiring of foreign labour, and they don’t want to rethink the entire policy on migrant worker employment,” he said.

“I think this is an absolutely nonsensical policy.”

Tenaganita director Aegile Fernandez voiced a similar opinion, saying it was “worth a shot” to hire foreigners who were currently in Malaysian detention centres.

She said this would be better than sending undocumented immigrants back to their home countries since they had already developed their skills in Malaysia.

She added that Tenaganita would be “more than happy” to help the government help detained immigrants to get work.
FGV’s acting chairman, Sulaiman Mahbob, said recently that the company was planning to take in 7,000 to 8,000 new foreign workers to address its labour needs.

He said the shortage of workers became acute in April because many Indonesians had lost interest in Malaysian jobs due to the declining ringgit and greater job opportunities in their home country.

Available figures put the composition of Indonesians at 70% of the labour force in the plantation industry.

The current labour shortage is said to have cost FGV RM2 million in daily losses. It has caused delays in the harvesting of palm fruits. This has in turn reduced the volume of oil extracted.

Felda chairman Shahrir Samad has backed FGV’s recruitment proposal. He said recently that Felda would work with FGV to raise its efficiency and profits.