The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has declared its intention to go after both the companies hiring foreign nationals and individual foreign nationals working in the country on the issue of tax evasion.

The Malaysian government is lifting the freeze on hiring foreign workers for four sectors. “In view of the acute shortage, we have to lift the suspension to allow these sectors to bring in foreign workers,” Malaysian Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai says.

Businesses and industries, already reeling from a financially challenging environment, say they are being hit hard by the freeze on new foreign workers.

The Malaysia government has decided to halt the recruitment of new foreign workers into the country, said Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

In yet another twist, Malaysia yesterday said the deal on labour recruitment signed with Bangladesh on Thursday would not be affected

The Malaysian government has been asked to review its decision to suspend the intake of foreign workers as it will erode the country’s competitive edge.

Around 3 lakh registered Bangladeshi migrant workers in Malaysia would have to pay the levy previously paid by their employers as the country yesterday imposed a new levy on foreign workers.