A year has passed since the government first announced it would replace its online "Expat System" for managing foreign labor with a new platform developed by Malaysia’s Bestinet, yet the system remains in the testing phase.
Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihusaan told Adhadhu that final testing of the Bestinet Expat System is currently underway, and the platform will be officially launched only after the testing phase is fully completed.
While Ihusaan did not provide a date, he noted that the testing phase is being conducted in collaboration with numerous agencies and companies.
"Beyond Phase 1, the modules for overseas recruitment, border screening, and initial fingerprinting have been finalized. The testing for these components is now nearing completion," Ihusaan said.
The Minister first announced that the Bestinet system would be officially in use starting May 2025. Despite several subsequent deadlines provided by the Minister, the system has yet to become operational.
Ihusaan previously stated that the new Expat System would launch with enhanced functionalities designed to streamline processes.
He had earlier explained that the decision to proceed with the Bestinet agreement was made to settle a legal dispute. He noted that the government faced a potential compensation claim of $13.7 million due to the suspension of an agreement originally signed during President Abdulla Yameen’s administration. Unable to pay the full settlement at once, the government opted to enter into a new agreement for the establishment of the system.
Currently, the state collects MVR 6,200 annually per foreign worker. This includes a MVR 2,000 quota fee and MVR 4,200 in work permit fees, charged at a rate of MVR 350 per month.
Under the new agreement with Bestinet, the government will be required to pay the company $100 (MVR 1,542) per foreign worker annually. Additionally, employees will be required to pay Bestinet $50 (MVR 771) per head for medical insurance services.
Based on these figures, it is estimated that Bestinet could generate approximately MVR 6.9 billion over the 15-year duration of the contract.
