PLKS system reduced counter congestions by 50%

KUALA LUMPUR: The standardisation system for online renewal of the Visit Pass-Temporary Employment (PLKS) for foreign workers has reduced congestion at immigration counters by 50%, said Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.

He said the move had clearly achieved the government's objective in improving the quality of service and reducing congestion at the Immigration
Department.

"Beginning Dec 1, 2014 the ministry had agreed to experiment or implement 'proof of concept' (POC) for the standardisation of PLKS renewal by MyEG online
and it was found that congestion, and the problem of long queues was reduced by 50% during the trial period.

"In addition, the system can address the issue of fraud and negative perception towards the Immigration Department," he said during the question-and-answer session at the Dewan Rakyat here today.

He was replying to Sim Chee Keong (DAP-Bukit Mertajam) who enquired why the government continued to give the contract to MyEG to manage foreign workers' permits although a Foreigners Enforcement and National Registration System (NERS) was available and whether the government would continue with the MyEG system amidst criticisms received.

Wan Junaidi said that NERS and MyEG were two different systems as NERS was aimed at recording the biometric data of foreigners comprising tourists, foreign pass holders and long-term pass holders at all entry points via land, sea and air.

"Through NERS, fingerprints and biodata of every foreigner who enters and leaves the country will be stored electronically. As a result, the government has profiles of all foreigners entering and residing in the country.

MyEG, he said, is a standardisation of PLKS renewal for all foreign workers to enable online renewal of permits for foreign workers from all sectors, without having to go to the counters in person. – Bernama