Malaysia mulls sourcing guards from two more countries - DPM

Ahmad Zahid, who is also the home minister, said the proposal would be brought up to the Cabinet soon. He did not name the countries.

The Home Ministry had decided that companies can recruit security guards from two other countries besides Nepal but they must give priority to Malaysians and fulfil the ratio of recruitment of local workers, he said.

He spoke at a meeting with the boards of directors, company managers and clients of the national security industry here Tuesday.

Deputy home ministers Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed and Masir Kujat as well as ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Alwi Ibrahim were also present.

Ahmad Zahid also said that the ministry had rejected a proposal by the Education Ministry to use People's Volunteer Corps (Rela) personnel to maintain security at schools.

"If Rela officers and personnel are to be used as school security guards, they must be absorbed as manpower of security companies," he said.

He said there was a cap on the 800 security companies operating in the country to limit the number of these companies as well as to avert unhealthy competition.

He also said that 47 security companies had their operating licences cancelled this year for failing to comply with the conditions stipulated by the Home Ministry, one of which was having the guards undergo certified security guards training.

He said he was informed that 95 security companies did not send their guards for the CSG training.

Ahmad Zahid also said that the ministry had rejected a proposal by the Education Ministry to use People's Volunteer Corps (Rela) personnel to maintain security at schools.

"If Rela officers and personnel are to be used as school security guards, they must be absorbed as manpower of security companies," he said.

He said there was a cap on the 800 security service companies operating in the country to limit the number of these companies as well as to avert unhealthy competition.

He also said that 47 security service companies had their operating licences cancelled this year for failing to comply with the conditions stipulated by the Home Ministry, one of which was having the guards undergo certified security guards training.

He said he was informed that 95 security service companies did not send their guards for the CSG training.

"These companies may not be interested to renew their licences ... they will be given time up to Dec 31," he said.

Ahmad Zahid said CSG training was compulsory for all security guards as it prepared them for all eventualities and enabled them to react in accordance with the standard operating procedures.

He also said that the ministry would not hesitate to cancel the licence of any security service company that leased its business to secret societies.

"The Home Ministry scrutinises these companies. We are in the know and are compiling evidence. There have been media reports that some shareholders and directors of these companies are just a window-dressing and are backed by secret societies," he said.

Ahmad Zahid said that to overcome delays in payment to security service companies, the Treasury, ministries secretaries-general, directors-general and head of agencies would undertake coordination to ensure payments were made within 30 days of the submission of claims.

"If any company receives payment after 30 days, I will instruct the two deputy ministers to follow up on the matter. I am also prepared to bring the matter up to the Cabinet," he said.