BAGAN DATUK (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - Employers can save up to 50 per cent by sourcing for foreign domestic helpers without going through agents, said Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Datuk Seri Zahid, who is also Home Minister, said this was in comparison to the high cost of levies and processing fees charged by agents, which range between RM12,000 (S$3,900) to RM18,000 per worker.

The new measure introduced under Budget 2018 would allow employers to bypass agents and engage maid service providers from nine source countries, including Indonesia, the Philippines, Myanmar, Vietnam and Bangladesh, he said.

"This measure will surely relieve the financial burden of civil servants and private employees who, prior to this, had to bear high costs charged by agents," he said, after launching the Bagan Datuk-Kampung Sejagop Bridge Construction Project groundbreaking ceremony here on Saturday (Oct 28).

Mr Zahid said that when maids are brought to Malaysia, employers can apply for a 30-day social visit visas for them online.

"Within this period, employers would then have to apply online for temporary employment permits for foreign workers (PLKS) to enable these foreigners to stay in the country to work as domestic helpers," he said.