KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 18): Iris Corp Bhd has secured a RM4.96 million contract from Malaysia's Home Affairs Ministry for the provision of equipment, software and facial live capture image maintenance services at the Immigration Department of Malaysia.

Iris told Bursa Malaysia today its wholly-owned unit Iris Information Technology Systems Sdn Bhd had received the acceptance letter from the ministry on Friday (Dec 15).

According to Iris today, the acceptance letter is "for the provision of maintenance services of equipment, software, and facial live capture image (application system) at all passport recipient and issuance offices of Immigration Department of Malaysia".

Iris said the acceptance letter also involves "submission of performance bond to MOHA (Home Affairs Ministry)".

According to Iris, the contract duration is three years from Jan 1, 2018 to Dec 31, 2020.

"The contract will not have any effect on the share capital and shareholding structure of Iris. The contract, however, is expected to contribute positively to the earnings and net assets per share of Iris for the financial years ending March 31, 2018 onwards until the expiry of the contract," Iris said.

At Bursa Malaysia today, Iris's share trade has been suspended between 12:20pm and 2:30pm in conjunction with the contract acceptance letter announcement. Prior to the suspension, Iris shares were last traded at 15 sen for a market value of RM358.43 million.