PUTRAJAYA (Nov 20): Information and communications technology firm Prestariang Bhd has been chosen as the main implementer of the Immigration Department's 'Sistem Kawalan Imigresen Nasional' (SKIN).

Prestariang chief executive officer Dr Abu Hassan Ismail inked the letter of agreement for the job with Immigration Department Director General Datuk Mustafa Ibrahim today in front of Home Affairs Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Alwi Ibrahim.

However, when pressed for more details, Abu Hasan Ismail declined to provide further information, pending further finalisation of the agreement with the Immigration, and announcement to Bursa Malaysia.

"The contract is status-quo for now as we have only secured the letter of agreement in principle. I cannot comment much on the contract value or any other financial details, pending further finalisation with the Immigration Department. Please wait for more details as we announce to Bursa Malaysia from today onwards," Abu Hasan told The Edge Financial Daily after the signing ceremony.

Alwi said the SKIN programme is part of the ministry's modernisation programme to improve efficiency in national security, particularly border control.

"One of the important elements in the SKIN programme is to support the prevention and combating of serious crimes, which the Malaysian government has signed with the United States government yesterday," said Alwi, who witnessed the signing ceremony on behalf of Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Alwi added that the ministry expects the SKIN system to be fully operational by as early as next year.

"Once we finalise the technical aspects, then we expect the SKIN system to be integrated at airports and the country's entry points," he said to reporters.

At 3.58pm, Prestariang was trading one sen or 0.39% higher at RM2.60, for a market capitalisation of RM1.27 billion. Year to date, the counter has risen about 80.56%.

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