I didn’t say 40%, says Riot on illegal foreign workers
KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Richard Riot has denied making any statement in the Dewan Rakyat that “40% of foreign workers in Malaysia are undocumented”.
“You can quote me on this. For every 10 legal workers, there are seven illegal workers ... that’s all ... I never mentioned any other figures.
“I stick to that. It should be in the Hansard (in Dewan Rakyat) and you can check it, some reporters love to spin (tales),” he said after opening the “Emerging Leaders Dialogues Asia 2016” at the British International School here yesterday.
The Human Resources Minister said this when responding to reports that Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi wanted an explanation on the matter.
Riot was quoted as saying that an estimated 40% of the foreign labour workforce in Malaysia was undocumented, hampering the Government’s efforts to reduce dependence on foreign workers by 2020.
Asked whether he would meet Dr Ahmad Zahid to clear the air, Riot said: “Well, he is my boss, I will definitely meet him.”
Earlier, in his speech, Riot said this dialogue would be a good platform to address issues of re-skilling leaders on various leadership roles in times of changing economy.
“Malaysia is an upcoming emerging economy in Asia and it is timely dialogues of this scale are held in this country.
“As you will be on a learning expedition to various states in Malaysia, I urge you to undertake a study on how different states in Malaysia are adapting economically to the changing times,” he said.
Riot pointed out that leadership development contributed directly to his ministry’s objective of maintaining national economic development via the adoption of Malaysia’s National Blue Ocean Strategy.
“This is where creative and systematic ways are looked at to form strategic alliance between public and private sectors to increase income and economic growth,” he added.