Deputy minister: 106,242 applications from employers approved by Foreign Workers Transformation Approach (FWTA) Sdn Bhd

By Mohd Abdullah Lee

KUCHING, May 21 2026: Foreign Worker Transformation Approach Sdn Bhd (FWTA) has approved  106,242 applications from employers, Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Labour, Immigration and Project Monitoring) Gerawat Gala said in a statement today.

Caption: Gerawat Gala says that a free of RM1,854 is charged for each application 

“A total of 69,570 applications were processed manually before the implementation of the FWTA and were not subject to the fee,” he explained.

He said a free of RM1,854 was charged for each application,  entirely for the purpose of operating, maintaining and improving the system while the government did not receive any part of the payment.

The FWTA initiative not only strengthens the efficiency of the workforce ecosystem, but also plays a role in addressing the issue of illegal foreign workers through a more structured and integrated management approach.

Gerawat stressed that the implementation of the FWTA was carried out in accordance with the prescribed legal, administrative and financial procedures and has received approval from the relevant authorities.

According to him, the implementation is also subject to periodic reviews, audits and monitoring by authoritative bodies to ensure that the level of compliance, accountability and value for money is always maintained.

He explained that the FWTA was implemented through a public-private partnership (PPP) model, with the entire development and operational costs being fully funded by the private sector without involving government allocations.

He said that FWTA Sdn Bhd legally appointed as a subcontractor by the service provider, with the appointment made according to procurement procedures and subject to audit and monitoring by the authorities.

He also reminded that administrative issues involving state interests should not be politicized, but rather discussed responsibly based on valid facts.

the government, he said, remains committed to the principles of transparency and good governance, but any disclosure related to contracts or commercial matters is subject to the law and the obligation of confidentiality.