COMMENT | The statement in response to many calls for the disclosure of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on labour migration from Bangladesh to Malaysia by the Human Resource Minister M Saravanan questioning “when have MOUs ever been made public?”, was shockingly irresponsible, disappointing and unbecoming of a minister.

Even if Malaysia had not developed a National Action Plan on Forced Labour (NAPFL) 2021-2025, Saravanan’s flippant response yesterday reflected his poor understanding of his ministerial responsibility for accountability to the legislature (Parliament) and ultimately to the people.

He was also quoted by the news portal Free Malaysia Today as saying, “some people are taking a special interest (in the MOU). I don’t know why. Is there something more to this?”

This was a clear message to the world that the minister in charge of labour has very little interest in transparency in the management of labour migration, especially at a time when Malaysia is being scrutinised for its sincerity in curbing forced labour and human trafficking, particularly in major revenue-generating industries.

Saravanan’s noted confusion over why “some people” are taking a “special interest” denotes his lack of understanding of...