KUALA LUMPUR (July 15): Fraudulent approvals were found in the existing Malaysia Immigration System (MyIMMs) for foreign workers quota through manipulation.

In the findings of the Federal Ministries/Departments section under the Auditor General's Report 2018 series 1, audit analysis results showed a quota of 32,424 foreign workers was created and approved to 123 employers, as well as first-time levy payments amounting to RM40.79 million were done in an unorganised and dubious manner.

It was also found that of the 32,424 quota, 21,378 foreign workers had obtained temporary foreign worker permit (PLKS).

The estimated audited first-time levy payment to be collected from the 21,378 foreign workers would amount to RM24.55 million, said the report.

As an immediate action, the Immigration Department of Malaysia has blacklisted the concerned companies.

Moving forward, the development of a new system — Immigration Integrated System (IIS) — is being implemented, taking into account the elements of security control.

Meanwhile, a full report on hacked IDs has been submitted to the director-general of the immigration department on April 25, and meetings with the Cyber Crime and Multimedia Investigation and the Royal Malaysia Police have begun since March 7 to investigate this issue, said the report.

For more stories on the AG's Report 2018, click here.