However, Human Resources Minister M Kula Segaran said he would leave it to the Cabinet to make a decision on the matter.

“We will have a discussion with the home ministry because this is a proposal,” he said after attending an event at Pusat Dialysis Bercham (a dialysis centre) here today.

Kula said this in reference to a suggestion made by Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Latheefa Koya on Wednesday that the processing of foreign workers coming into the country be returned to the human resources ministry.

“The MACC sees there is a need to improve the system in the hiring process, as the human resources ministry is more aware of how many job opportunities are available here for foreigners,” she said.

Speaking after the panel discussion at the 2019 Malaysia Sustainable Development Goals Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Latheefa said most of the foreign workers detained in the country were due to immigration offences, such as not possessing valid travel documents.

“Many foreign workers who come to this country do not use illegal routes but are brought in by agents,” she said.

She said certain agents and individuals are taking advantage of foreign workers wishing to enter the country.

“The (corruption) issue involving foreign workers is huge. There are foreign workers who come here seeking so-called jobs, but none exist.

“Some come to Malaysia and then there are no documents. There may be traitors who, for example, terminate the recruitment process after the visa has been obtained.”