Latest news with #SOCSO
Focus Malaysia
5 days ago
- Business
- Focus Malaysia
SOCSO partners Pepper Labs to upskill jobless grads via Google Career Certs Scholarships
IN LINE with the Human Resources Ministry's mission to address youth unemployment and accelerate digital inclusion, the Social Security Organisation (SOCSO) and home-grown social impact enterprise Pepper Labs have teamed up under the Google Gemilang initiative. This pioneering collaboration marks another significant stride in Pepper Labs' decade-long journey of impact and nation-building through technology, innovation and strategic partnerships. Having empowered over 300,000 Malaysians with AI (artificial intelligence) fluency and future-ready digital skills, Pepper Labs now works closely with public sector stakeholders to integrate AI solutions into the transformation of governance and service delivery. This partnership exemplifies Pepper Labs' unique positioning as a trusted enabler of Malaysia's digital and socioeconomic agenda. Under the scholarship, unemployed Malaysian youth are offered fully sponsored scholarships to access globally recognised certifications in high-demand areas such as AI, cybersecurity, data analytics, project management and digital marketing curated by Google and delivered via The programme bridges the education-to-employment gap and supports the national goal to build a future-ready, digitally skilled workforce. Under the strategic direction of the Human Resources Ministry, SOCSO facilitates candidate identification through its MYFutureJobs platform and career fairs while Pepper Labs as the lead implementation partner, delivers end-to-end support, ranging from technical skills, 21st century skills, soft and living skills, future of works related skills to job placement support, thus ensuring graduates are well-positioned to secure meaningful employment. Digital pursuit 'Through this partnership between SOCSO and Pepper Labs, we're ensuring that unemployed graduates are not left behind in the digital transition,' enthused Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong. 'This initiative is a testament to our belief in the potential of our young talent and our resolve to uplift them with meaningful, globally recognised opportunities.' As an entity recognised by the Government for its consistent impact-driven innovation, Pepper Labs was most recently recognised by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim under Budget 2025 with a national commitment to establish community cloud kitchens across underserved communities, hence further expanding its role in inclusive job creation and local enterprise development. This tripartite collaboration reflects a shared commitment to nation-building, digital empowerment and inclusive economic recovery. By investing in human capital and fostering public-private partnerships, Malaysia moves one step closer to achieving its digital aspirations under the Malaysia MadanI vision. This pilot initiative sets the foundation for a scalable model that could benefit even more Malaysian youth in the future. The first group of participants began their training on May 26 with candidates identified through SOCSO's outreach efforts. While enrolment is currently by invitation, interested graduates may reach out to Pepper Labs at [email protected] to express interest and learn about future opportunities under this initiative. – Aug 6, 2025
Focus Malaysia
01-08-2025
- Health
- Focus Malaysia
Galen Centre: 13th Malaysia Plan needs more ambitious strategic vision for health
THE Galen Centre for Health and Social Policy has called for bolder reforms in the health sector under the 13th Malaysian Plan (13MP) tabled yesterday (July 31) in Parliament by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Describing the current plan as 'underwhelming', its CEO Azrul Mohd Khalib said the 13MP falls short in the areas of healthcare financing, health workforce, outbreak preparedness and response, and non-communicable diseases. 'The gaps, fragility and reality of the healthcare system revealed during the COVID-19 pandemic years were supposed to help inform, guide and prepare the strategic vision of the 13MP,' he remarked. 'Instead, the 13MP does not acknowledge the rebuilding still needed, and the hard-won lessons bought at so much cost to lives and national wealth. For health, the 13MP proposed vision and reforms are simply not bold enough.' Azrul went on to criticise the current tax-funded healthcare system, calling it 'not sustainable', adding that reforming healthcare financing is critical and has to be done now. He also said the Rakan KKM programme, offering 'premium economy' services at selected public hospitals, and the proposed basic medical and health insurance and takaful (MHIT) product from the government were insufficient initiatives. 'What is needed is a compulsory National Health and Social Insurance to provide complementary funding to support health and aged care,' he stressed. 'Adopting a rate similar to SOCSO contributions, we could raise at least RM6 bil annually to complement the annual health allocation under the federal budget. 'With more of the population becoming older and needing specialised services, a portion could ensure that aged care is properly funded and sustained. It can provide a means to improve treatment options and a resource during times of crisis.' According to Azrul, the government should have also announced a health services commission under the 13MP, which would take over the task of managing public health workers from the public services department. 'This commission would potentially enhance governance, improve accountability, and better manage human resources, leading to improved service delivery, and stronger confidence by the public and healthcare workers,' he said. He said there was no clear vision or plan on how to stem the rise in non-communicable diseases, of which treating them takes up about 70% of the billions in Putrajaya's annual health expenditure. Azrul also said that failure to increase investment in effective treatments and care for NCDs could lead to more patients dying from sub-optimal treatment. 'The 13MP should represent a bold and ambitious vision to ensure that the country's healthcare system continues to be fit for purpose. 'Strategic actions in strengthening the healthcare workforce, reforming national health financing mechanisms, enhancing infectious disease preparedness, and dealing with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) remain imperative for the well-being and resilience of Malaysia's healthcare system. 'We cannot afford to be timid,' he added. Yesterday Anwar said Putrajaya will allocate RM40 bil for the health sector under the 13MP. He said in addition to building and upgrading health facilities in several states, a framework for professional development will be developed to ensure talent retention in the health sector. ‒ Aug 1, 2025 Main image: The Star
New Straits Times
13-07-2025
- Health
- New Straits Times
A call to action: Protecting and supporting our senior citizens
Malaysia is rapidly ageing, and by 2030, 15 per cent of our population will be 60 years or older, officially making us an ageing nation. By 2056, one in four Malaysians will be a senior citizen. With an ageing population, we are facing a growing demand for healthcare services, retirement security, and elder-friendly infrastructure. Many of our elderly struggle with financial insecurity, chronic illnesses, and social isolation. Some have no pension or savings to fall back on, while others, despite years of hard work, find themselves dependent on their children or even living in poverty. The government, private sector, and civil society must work together to create policies and programmes that provide security, dignity, and support for our elderly population. Among the things we can do to improve elderly healthcare include: • More investment in geriatric healthcare, home care services, and community-based health programmes. • Accessible and affordable healthcare should be a priority, including long-term care facilities and palliative care services. • Preventive healthcare must be encouraged to ensure our seniors live healthier, independent lives for as long as possible. • Strengthen social protection schemes such as EPF, SOCSO, and government pensions to ensure financial security in old age. • Encourage lifelong savings and financial literacy to prepare individuals for retirement. • Provide tax incentives for family members who care for elderly parents or support for affordable assisted living. • Senior citizens must be constantly vigilant against scams as they are often targeted by fraudsters who are out to exploit the trust, loneliness, or lack of technological literacy of seniors, leading to devastating loses of lifelong savings and emotional trauma. • Community programmes should be strengthened to combat social isolation, including senior citizen centres, recreational activities, and digital literacy programs. • Foster a culture of respect and appreciation for the elderly, ensuring they are valued members of our communities. • Employers should be encouraged to provide flexible work options for senior citizens who are still able and willing to contribute. • Our public infrastructure, transport systems, and housing must be senior-friendly. • More accessible public spaces, barrier-free buildings, and improved mobility services for seniors will enhance their quality of life. Beyond policies and programmes, the most important thing we can offer our elderly is care and compassion. We must never forget that today's seniors were once the backbone of our nation — teachers, farmers, doctors, factory workers, and parents who built the society we enjoy today. As a society, we must ask ourselves: Are we doing enough? Are we ensuring that our elderly are not left behind? Are we showing them the respect and gratitude they deserve? That's why there is an urgent need to institutionalise the rights, protections, and welfare of senior citizens through a dedicated Senior Citizens Bill. Such legislation is not only timely but necessary to ensure that the elderly population is treated with dignity, respect, and fairness across all facets of society.
Focus Malaysia
25-06-2025
- Business
- Focus Malaysia
Who is behind the wheel of commercial vehicles?
ALL commercial vehicles in Malaysia are registered in the names of companies or organisations, and they could be sole proprietorship (syarikat), private limited (sendirian berhad), limited (berhad), partnerships (dan rakan-rakan) or cooperatives. These businesses ought to employ or engage drivers who are licensed to operate commercial vehicles. In addition to the competent driving licence (CDL) for the class of vehicles, they must also possess a valid goods driving licence (GDL) or a public service vehicle (PSV) licence. Light goods vehicles with a laden weight of no more than 7,500kg are classified under 'de-centrolled' and they do not require a commercial vehicle permit. The aim is to facilitate smaller businesses to own and operate their own light trucks or vans to transport their own goods. These de-controlled vehicles could either be driven by the owners or drivers engaged by them, similar to individually-owned taxis (with meters) and hired cars (without meters). As for taxis owned by companies or cooperatives, these businesses have no control over their taxi drivers. Anyone making a down-payment to a taxi company or cooperative may take delivery of a taxi, and is free to do whatever he or she wants, as long as the monthly installments for the rental-purchase are settled on time. Like a bank loan, there is no employer-employee relationship. It was reported that some express and tour bus drivers claimed they receive basic salaries as low as RM700, with some saying they are not paid base salaries at all. In response, the Human Resource Ministry said it will tighten enforcement against parties violating the laws on wages. It reiterated that all companies must pay their employees a minimum of RM1,700 regardless of salary structure, according to the Minimum Wages Order 2024. Offenders may be fined up to RM10,000 for each employee, and up to RM20,000 or jailed five years for subsequent offence. The ministry also said it would carry out a review of 28 labour-related laws through a task force headed by deputy secretary-general (policy and international) Shaharin Umar to ensure that there are no exploitable legal loopholes. However, addressing the elephant in the room is not as straightforward as many people might think. Granted, all full-time employees must be paid at least the minimum salary as dictated by the law and also contribute to both EPF and SOCSO. But many drivers engaged to drive lorries and buses are not full-time employees. Companies may retain them as part-time workers to circumvent the law, or drivers may choose to work part-time as casual workers, and others may prefer to work freelance for several companies. The government ought to make a ruling that all part-time workers that have worked at least 21 days in a calendar month over a three-month period must be offered full-time employment with minimum monthly salary across all industries, and not limited to commercial vehicle drivers. Whether they are full-time, part-time, casual workers or freelancers, vehicle owners must ensure they are fully licensed for the class of vehicles they are driving, such as the CDL plus GDL or PSV, and they are well rested before embarking on long trips especially overnight runs. Alas, operating commercial vehicle businesses started to turn messy with the introduction of the New Economic Policy (NEP) in 1970 and the Road Transport Licensing Board (RTLB) tasked to ensure that almost all vehicle permits are to be granted to Bumiputera-owned companies. This was continued after RTLB was renamed Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board (CVLB) in 1987 and the Tourism Ministry took over the issuance of Bas Persiaran permits later until it was taken over in 2011 by the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) in peninsular Malaysia. As a result, many commercial vehicles are operated by unnamed third parties who had to lease permits and also register the vehicles in the name of the lessors. These include individuals who lease Bas Persiaran permits from companies and drive their own tour buses. ‒ June 25, 2025 YS Chan is master trainer for Mesra Malaysia and Travel and Tours Enhancement Course and an Asean Tourism Master Trainer. He is also a tourism and transport business consultant. The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia. Main image: Bernama
Barnama
23-06-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Kuala Lumpur To Host World Social Security Forum 2025
REGION - CENTRAL > NEWS KUALA LUMPUR, June 23 (Bernama) -- Malaysia will once again be the focus of the world's attention when Kuala Lumpur was chosen to host the World Social Security Forum (WSSF) 2025, which will take place from Sept 29 to Oct 3 this year at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC). The Social Security Organisation (SOCSO) in a statement announced that the forum organised by the International Social Security Association (ISSA) is themed 'Shaping Social Security for a World in Transition' and will bring together more than 1,500 delegates from 164 countries. "WSSF 2025 will be a strategic platform to explore futuristic ideas and innovations in empowering social security systems that are more relevant, inclusive and resilient in facing today's global challenges," according to the statement. bootstrap slideshow The forum will discuss various issues related to global demographic change, labour market dynamics, technological advancements and the sustainability agenda that affect the future of social security systems internationally. According to SOCSO, the forum is expected to be attended by national leaders, ministers, chief executive officers, technical experts and representatives of international organisations from among the 336 ISSA member organisations. "Among the main contents are more than 80 interactive sessions such as plenary sessions, panel workshops, tutorial sessions and the ISSA Innovation Zone, making the forum a holistic experience in knowledge exchange and cross-country cooperation," according to the statement. SOCSO also announced that for the first time, the International Social Security Video Festival and Awards will be introduced to highlight the commitment to the promotion of social security, in addition to the ISSA Outstanding Achievement Award which will be given to countries with exceptional achievements in strengthening the social protection system. The WSSF 2025 is being organised jointly by ISSA in collaboration with SOCSO and the Employees Provident Fund (EPF), and supported by the Retirement Fund Incorporated (KWAP) and the Implementation Coordination Unit, Prime Minister's Department (ICU JPM) as the secretariat of the Malaysian Social Protection Council (MySPC). More information about the forum can be found on the official website:
