Sabah Deputy Chief Minister I, Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan, has taken issue of fees charged for the digital registration of foreign workers, insisting the process should have been free from the start.

The state-backed initiative, which began two years ago, is managed by Smart Sabah Corporation Sdn Bhd, a company wholly owned by the Sabah government, according to official record. 

Jeffrey, who also chairs the Sabah Special Cabinet Committee on Digital Registration of Foreign Workers, said the programme was meant to streamline data collection, not to impose fees on workers.

“It was supposed to be free to encourage more workers to come forward voluntarily,” he said in an interview posted on his Facebook page.

“We had stated from the start that there would be no charges. 

“But suddenly, I see that workers are being asked to pay a large amount to register. This is not what I had envisioned.”

The initiative has revealed a heavy dependence on undocumented workers, particularly in plantations, where tens of thousands of workers are needed.

A trial phase found that more than half of those working in the industry were undocumented, despite many companies having ties to the government.

“The plan was to invite all workers to register, regardless of their status. It should be free to encourage voluntary participation,” Kitingan said.

The deputy chief minister has called for annual updates to the system to ensure accurate records and better decision-making.

“Data is the foundation of our decisions. I will raise this issue at the next meeting so we can establish a better structure,” he said.

Jeffrey stressed that many foreign workers lack proper documentation, leaving them without bank accounts, healthcare access, or education for their children.

“We are missing opportunities here. I believe these workers also want to be legalised, and the only way is to provide them with proper documentation,” he said.

Since its launch in September 2022, the Sabah Integrated Management of Foreign Workers and Non-Residents (SWIMS) programme has registered 39,276 foreign workers and dependents. 

The registration is implemented by Smart Sabah Corporation. 

Of these, 21,994 are employed in agriculture and construction, while 17,282 are dependents.

The system digitally profiles foreign workers using biometric data and facial recognition.

Authorities have since expanded the programme across all sectors, with over 100,000 foreigners recorded so far, primarily in plantations.

In collaboration with the Home Ministry, Immigration Department, and relevant consulates, the regularisation programme is also helping workers obtain passports and legal work permits. – March 20, 2025