The immigration department will close down all foreign workers permit renewal counters effective 1 May, and MYEG as the sole appointed agency will take over the renewal service online. However, the manner of the implementation is believed not conforming to conventional procedure. As such, the government should review its decision in relation to this implementation.
The public should not be forced to use the paid online service but be offered the choice of an alternative channel because in Malaysia not everyone is digital savvy or computer literate.
The effort of the government to promote online government service is no doubt a positive move. However, there should not be monopoly which is unfair to the public and other people.
There are a growing number of NGOs, trade associations and organisations voicing their opposition to the measure. As such, the government should make a review of its decision now before the issue gets bigger.
As Malaysia is heading toward a high income nation by 2020, such kind of monopoly would deter foreign investors from coming. Besides, the people will have a negative perception against the Government.
It will be good if before implementing any public policy, the government should first engage with the relevant industry and the people by conducting a “Town Hall” dialogue and consultation to avoid the embarrassment of retracting its decision later on.
I must say that implementing online government service is a right direction for the country but its method of implementation needs to be reviewed and must not create monopoly as it is against the public interests.
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