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The Star
3 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Building a skilled workforce
Steps to progress: Ahmad Zahid greeting government officials upon arrival in London while High Commissioner of Malaysia to the UK Datuk Zakri Jaafar (left) looks on. LONDON: Malaysia is ready to be a global platform for cultivating world-class, industry-ready Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) talent, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. The Deputy Prime Minister said while the nation is ready to lead, it can't do it alone. 'We will achieve this through meaningful partnerships with Asean, global allies and Malaysians abroad, who share our vision of building a skilled, competitive and future-ready generation. 'At the recent Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur, I had the chance to engage directly with fellow government and corporate leaders. 'The appetite for partnership in talent, technology, and training is real and growing. Everyone is asking – how can we work together? How can we build a shared pipeline of talent for the region?,' he said in his public lecture titled 'Malaysia's TVET Leadership in Asean Building Skills for a Shared Future' at University College London (UCL) yesterday. 'In this global race for relevance, skills are the new currency. And those who invest in practical, adaptable, and high-impact talent will not just survive – they will lead,' he stressed. For years, TVET was misunderstood – seen as a fallback rather than a path of purpose, Ahmad Zahid said. 'That perception is now shifting, but we must be honest as challenges still remain. 'The lingering stigma that TVET is 'second-tier' continues to affect enrolment decisions. A gap still exists between classroom training and real-world industry demands,' he said. 'I believe these are not just Malaysia's challenges – they are global challenges. But within each of them lies an opportunity. An opportunity to align, to innovate, and to collectively build a TVET ecosystem that is inclusive, adaptive and future-ready,' he said. This month, Malaysia will host the 4th Asean TVET Council Regional Policy Dialogue themed 'TVET for Rural and Regional Advancement,' alongside National TVET Day 2025. Ahmad Zahid said. 'Delegates from Asean, Australia and Germany will explore how TVET can drive inclusive growth, empower youth and uplift rural communities – while showcasing Malaysia's innovation, industry partnerships and national transformation in TVET. 'The message is clear: Malaysia is not just reforming TVET – we are redefining it. TVET is no longer a remedial track for the uncertain. 'It is now the engine of innovation, a strategic pillar of our economy and a gateway for our youth to participate fully in the industries of the future,' he said. Ahmad Zahid said Malaysia is laying the foundation to become Asean's TVET Certification and Excellence Hub, particularly in high-impact sectors like aerospace, green energy and advanced manufacturing. 'However, leadership cannot stand alone. It must be powered by partnership. That is why we are building lasting bridges – with Asean, with the United Kingdom and with each and every Malaysian here today,' he said. Ahmad Zahid arrived in London on Sunday night for his four-day working visit to Britain, in a move aimed at further strengthening Malaysia-UK bilateral ties.
Borneo Post
18-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Ahmad Zahid wants RISDA to establish high-tech rubber depot in Sabah
Ahmad Zahid officiating at the state-level Risda's programme for smallholders, at SJK (C) Chung Hwa, Tenom.-Bernama photo TENOM (May 18): Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has urged the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda) to establish a High-Tech Rubber Depot in the district to boost the rubber industry and support smallholders in the state. Ahmad Zahid, who also serves as the Rural and Regional Minister, said Sabah has excellent potential in the rubber industry, adding that the state has the largest rubber plantation area in the country, spanning 202,536 hectares or 25.69 per cent of Malaysia's total rubber cultivation area. 'With the establishment of the depot, Risda should also develop downstream rubber-based products commercially, including conducting research into biofuel derived from scrap rubber, as one kilogramme of coagulated rubber residue can produce five litres of biodiesel known as RISDA Biofuel,' he said. He said this when delivering his speech at the state-level Risda's programme for smallholders, Pekebun Kecil Makmur, at the SJK (C) Chung Hwa hall here on Sunday. At the ceremony, Ahmad Zahid announced Kinabatangan MP Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin as the honorary national advisor for Risda to ensure the voices of smallholders in the state continue to be heard. Ahmad Zahid said the government strives to stabilise the rubber industry despite the current low rubber floor price. '…the floor price for cup lump is set at RM5 per kilogramme, and the current market price has reached RM5.01 per kilogramme, as seen in Tangkak, Johor. We need to transform the rubber industry from a sunset industry (declining) into a sunrise industry (growing) by injecting elements of high technology and innovation,' he added. He said Malaysia was once among the world's largest natural rubber producers from the 1930s to the 1990s, but due to price issues and labour shortages, it is currently the world's sixth-largest rubber producer. 'Therefore, Risda must find solutions. Develop technologies, train young people using the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) approach and mobilise them to the sector with new skills, not just as rubber tappers but as value creators,' he said. He also urged Risda to focus on replanting efforts and using old rubber trees in the furniture manufacturing industry. 'We have the potential to replant 40,000 hectares annually, which could generate up to RM9 billion in rubber timber value if fully utilised. The furniture industry should not be concentrated only in Muar, Johor. I propose that Tenom be developed as Risda's furniture industry hub in Sabah,' he added.-Bernama
New Straits Times
27-04-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Efforts to boost TVET capacity, STEM proficiency key to strengthening Malaysia's economic resilience
KANGAR: Efforts to improve the capacity of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and mastery of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) among youth are needed to build the domestic economic resilience of Malaysia. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the fields of engineering, artificial intelligence (AI) and digital, as well as approaches to keep up with current economic developments, must be prioritised to enable Malaysia to have the ability to achieve this goal. "So God willing, we will build domestic economic the field of engineering, AI, digital and follow economic developments, and not be dragged into issues that can break and weaken us, such as busy to listening to quarrelsome talks, which spew hatred. "We have the strength to build this country, in 10 years, 20 years, where do we want to take the people and children, think about the future, do we want to quarrel about race or interpretation or raise our dignity so that together we can become part of a developed country and be strong to face the current tests," he said. The Prime Minister said this when speaking at the Perlis State-Level Aidilfitri Madani 2025 Celebration at Dataran Lok 9, Kuala Perlis near here today. Also present were the Raja of Perlis Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail and the Raja Perempuan of Perlis Tuanku Tengku Fauziah Almarhum Tengku Abdul Rashid. Also attending the ceremony were the Raja Muda of Perlis Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail and the Raja Puan Muda of Perlis Tuanku Dr Hajah Lailatul Shahreen Akashah Khalil. Also present were Perlis Menteri Besar Mohd Shukri Ramli and Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail. Meanwhile, Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, announced that the development allocation channeled by the federal government to Perlis from 2022 to 2024 recorded a 65 per cent increase to RM645.58 million last year, with 2023 (RM596.82 million) and 2022 (RM391.91 million). "For Perlis' annual grants in 2022, it was RM168.4 million, 2023 (RM182.3 million) and 2024 (RM210.6 million), which means Perlis is among the highest with a 25 per cent increase," he said. Regarding the Basic Rahmah Contribution Programme (SARA) in Perlis, he said the beneficiaries of the programme had increased to 62,292 people as of April compared to 25,682 recipients last year. Earlier, the Prime Minister chaired a Special State Development Meeting with the Menteri Besar of Perlis and the leadership of the state and federal governments at the Perlis State Development Office here. Through his Facebook post, Anwar, among others, said that the government machinery at all levels must immediately expedite the approval and implementation of projects without being hampered by bureaucratic red tape. "I have instructed agencies to tighten monitoring of projects and not hesitate to punish those who delay them to the detriment of the people. "The Perlis Menteri Besar then presented several state development priorities, covering basic infrastructure such as roads, flood control, tourism, ports and education," he said. Anwar said among the projects raised were the development of Sanglang port, the reconstruction of Sekolah Kebangsaan Chuping, the completion of the abandoned Sekolah Sukan Malaysia Perlis project and the Chuping flood reservoir upgrade project. He said that, considering their importance, he had ordered the reconstruction of Sekolah Kebangsaan Chuping to begin this year. Meanwhile, the Sekolah Sukan Malaysia Perlis project, which has been abandoned for the past 12 years, must be immediately handed over to a capable government-linked company. "The federal and state government machinery must be bold enough to think outside the old framework, break the deadlock, expedite the resolution of the people's problems, and build a resilient economic foundation, thereby raising the dignity of both the people and the country on the world stage," he said.
Malay Mail
27-04-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
PM Anwar calls for focus on engineering, AI and digital fields to future-proof economy
KANGAR, April 27 — Efforts to improve the capacity of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and mastery of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) among youth are needed to build the domestic economic resilience of Malaysia. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the fields of engineering, artificial intelligence (AI) and digital, as well as approaches to keep up with current economic developments, must be prioritised to enable Malaysia to have the ability to achieve this goal. 'So God willing, we will build domestic economic the field of engineering, AI, digital and follow economic developments, and not be dragged into issues that can break and weaken us, such as busy to listening to quarrelsome talks, which spew hatred. 'We have the strength to build this country, in 10 years, 20 years, where do we want to take the people and children, think about the future, do we want to quarrel about race or interpretation or raise our dignity so that together we can become part of a developed country and be strong to face the current tests,' he said. The Prime Minister said this when speaking at the Perlis State-Level Aidilfitri Madani 2025 Celebration at Dataran Lok 9, Kuala Perlis near here today. Also present were the Raja of Perlis Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail and the Raja Perempuan of Perlis Tuanku Tengku Fauziah Almarhum Tengku Abdul Rashid. — Bernama
