AwanBiru Technology Bhd (Awantec) has announced the resolution of its long-standing legal dispute with the Government of Malaysia through a Consent Judgment valued at US$45.38 million (RM201.45 million). The settlement formally concludes all legal matters surrounding the terminated Sistem Kawalan Imigresen Nasional (SKIN) project, providing clarity and allowing the company to move forward with its strategic priorities.
This development comes almost a year after the Kuala Lumpur High Court ruled in favour of Awantec’s subsidiary, Prestariang Skin Sdn Bhd, ordering the government to pay US$52.15 million (RM231.5 million) for the unlawful termination of the SKIN contract in 2019.
The SKIN concession, awarded in August 2017, was a 15-year agreement for the development, implementation, and maintenance of a modernised immigration and border control system to replace the legacy infrastructure used by the Immigration Department of Malaysia. The contract was valued at US$788 million (RM3.5 billion), contingent on full private financing by Prestariang Skin.
The project was scrapped following the 2018 general elections, which resulted in a change of federal administration after more than six decades under Barisan Nasional.
Azlan Zainal Abidin – Awantec, CEO
Commenting on the settlement, Awantec CEO Azlan Zainal Abidin said, “This resolution brings certainty and closure, allowing us to refocus on our core growth strategies. The one-off payment not only strengthens our cash flow position but also enables us to resolve outstanding obligations linked to the SKIN project.”
With the SKIN dispute now behind it, Awantec is sharpening its focus on high-growth areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and digital transformation services. The company continues to strengthen its portfolio through strategic partnerships, including its role as a Google Premier Partner and collaborations with international tech players like Skillsoft and Sage. One of its latest initiatives is Awantax, an e-invoicing platform accredited by Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), which supports the government’s push towards mandatory e-invoicing compliance.
In the public sector, Awantec recently secured a one-year extension under Malaysia’s Cloud Framework Agreement (CFA), reaffirming its position as a key player in national digital infrastructure projects. Additional contract wins—such as its involvement in MyGovUC 3.0 and projects with the Ministry of Education (MOE) and Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE)—further cement its role in enabling digital transformation and workforce development. With legal distractions now settled, Awantec is poised to accelerate growth in digital services and technology solutions across both public and private sectors.
