Charles Santiago, who won the Klang seat, said the issuance of migrant worker permits and licences, which currently falls under the home and human resources ministries, should come only under the latter.

“Corruption can take place where foreign workers are concerned.

“Placing migrant matters under the human resources ministry will make it easier to curb corruption,” he told FMT.

Responding to questions on how the government could make the administration more effective, Santiago said water matters could come under a climate change and environment ministry.

Highlighting the need to conserve water, plants, air and wildlife, he said the existing energy, green technology and water ministry should be combined with the environment ministry.

He also brought up the necessity for a review of the various commissions involving matters like water and public transport, adding that such bodies helped regulate and implement government policies.

He said the staff could be absorbed into the relevant ministries, if necessary.

Meanwhile Wong Chen, who won the Subang parliamentary seat, hoped the government would consolidate various ministries and shift several bodies to more relevant portfolios.

For instance, he said, the Land Public Transport Commission, now under the Prime Minister’s Office, should be returned to the transport ministry.

He added that PH would downsize the Prime Minister’s Department and trim its RM17 billion budget to RM8 billion.

“This will take place in the 2019 budget cycle. All restructuring exercises will have to undergo detailed studies before implementation.”

Under the Barisan Nasional government, there were 25 ministries. More than 70 agencies and commissions were also placed under the Prime Minister’s Department.