The Home Ministry has confirmed that it is considering a bid by a company owned by Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's younger brother.
In a press release late this evening, the Home Ministry said that Real Time Networking Sdn Bhd, owned by Abdul Hakim Hamidi, is among several local companies bidding for the job.
However, no decision has been made yet.
Real Time Networking has offered to provide an online system to the Bangladesh Association of International Recruitment Agencies (Baira), which would allow Bangladeshi nationals to register themselves to work in Malaysia.
On the Malaysian end, Putrajaya will be able to use the system to monitor the workers during their stint in Malaysia.
Applicants will have to pay a fee of RM3,000.
In view of the fact that Putrajaya intends to bring 1.5 million Bangladeshis to Malaysia as workers, this would be a very lucrative deal for Real Time Networking.
General note, not instruction or approval
In an exclusive report by Malaysiakini earlier today, it was reported that Real Time's proposal was forwarded to the Home Ministry on June 17.
Malaysiakini has sighted the letter which bore Zahid's handwritten instruction to Home Ministry secretary-general Alwi Ibrahim, instructing him to review the proposal "for comparison".
However, the Home Ministry stressed that this does not mean that Real Time Networking had gotten the job.
"We wish to clarify that it was a general note and not an instruction or approval.
"This is because all proposals from companies regarding this system will be evaluated and considered by the ministry's committee, in accordance to procedure," said the Home Ministry.
Meanwhile, the Home Ministry said that Putrajaya and Dhaka will continue discussions on the repatriation of Bangladeshi nationals who are now working in Malaysia illegally.
