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New Straits Times
13 hours ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Over 34,000 foreign worker quotas approved to tackle plantation labour shortage
KUALA LUMPUR: More than 34,000 foreign worker recruitment quotas for the plantation sector have been recommended for approval to address the industry's manpower shortage, says Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani. He said that the quotas, covering 434 companies, had been approved on a case-by-case basis as of July 9, 2025. "This special approval is expected to help meet the labour shortfall and, in turn, boost productivity and national output. The ministry remains committed to ensuring that labour needs in the plantation sector are always sufficient to support optimal economic growth," he said in a parliamentary written reply. Johari added that as of June this year, there were 258,153 active holders of the Temporary Employment Visit Pass (PLKS) in the plantation sector. However, the number remains insufficient, with the industry reporting an additional need for between 30,000 and 40,000 workers. Johari (BN–Titiwangsa) was responding to Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham (PH–Beruas), who had enquired about the total number of workers required for the plantation sector, particularly in oil palm and rubber. Ngeh had also asked about the foreign worker quota granted to address the labour shortage. Johari said that the agri-commodity sector, especially the oil palm plantation industry, was heavily reliant on foreign labour, with more than 70 per cent of its workforce comprising foreign workers. "This is because work in the sector falls under the 3D category — dirty, dangerous, and difficult — making it less attractive to local workers," he said.
New Straits Times
19 hours ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Over 34,000 quotas approved to address worker shortage in plantation sector
KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 434 companies, involving more than 34,000 quotas, have been recommended for approval until July 9 for the recruitment of foreign workers, the Plantation and Commodities Ministry (KPK) said today. Its deputy minister, Datuk Chan Foong Hin, said the special approvals aim to address labour shortages and boost national productivity and output. "To tackle the shortage, the government has granted special quota approvals for foreign worker recruitment in the plantation sector on a case-by-case basis," he told the Dewan Rakyat during question-and-answer time today. He was responding to Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham (PH-Beruas), who had asked about the workforce needs in the plantation sector, particularly in oil palm and rubber, and the quotas given to address the shortfall. Chan said Immigration Department statistics as of June 30 this year showed there were 258,153 active Temporary Employment Visit Pass (PLKS) holders in the plantation sector. However, he noted this is still insufficient, with the industry reporting an additional need of 30,000 to 40,000 workers, taking into account those who have returned to their home countries after their permits expired.
The Sun
21 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
Malaysia approves 34,000 foreign worker quotas for plantation sector
KUALA LUMPUR: The Plantation and Commodities Ministry (KPK) has recommended approval for 434 companies to recruit foreign workers, covering more than 34,000 quotas as of July 9. Deputy Minister Datuk Chan Foong Hin stated that these special approvals aim to resolve labour shortages and enhance national productivity. He explained that the government is granting foreign worker quotas on a case-by-case basis to meet industry demands. Chan provided these details in response to a question from Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham (PH-Beruas) regarding workforce needs in oil palm and rubber plantations. According to Immigration Department data, there were 258,153 active Temporary Employment Visit Pass (PLKS) holders in the sector as of June 30. Despite this, the industry still faces a shortfall, requiring an additional 30,000 to 40,000 workers due to expired permits and returnees. - Bernama
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- New Straits Times
Immigration busts document forgery ring, raids illegal massage operations in KL
PUTRAJAYA: The Immigration Department has dismantled a document forgery syndicate and uncovered illegal massage services in separate operations in Kuala Lumpur, arresting 24 foreign nationals and seizing cash and equipment linked to the illicit activities. In a special raid on Monday night in Taman Maluri, Immigration detained 19 men, 16 from Bangladesh and three from Myanmar, all aged between 18 and 43, suspected of producing fake electronic Temporary Employment Visit Pass (e-PLKS) slips. The syndicate allegedly operated behind the cover of phone repair and convenience stores, charging RM100 per falsified slip tailored to passport holders lacking valid passes. Immigration director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said the forgery ring had likely been active for about a year. Among those arrested, two Bangladeshi men were overstayers, while most detainees had no valid travel documents. Authorities seized RM11,357 in cash, forged e-PLKS slips, passports, laptops, printers, closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras and city hall business licenses during the operation. The suspects have been remanded at the Putrajaya Immigration Depot pending further investigation. In a related crackdown yesterday in Sri Petaling, Immigration personnel arrested one Thai national and four Myanmar men for running illegal massage services targeting male customers. The operation seized RM3,101 in suspected proceeds, promotional materials and QR codes for payment. The Thai national held a Social Visit Pass, while the Myanmar men were undocumented. Zakaria said the illicit massage service operated covertly in unlicensed spa centres and charged RM109 per hour, having run for four months. Two local men have been served notices to assist with the investigations.
The Sun
2 days ago
- The Sun
Immigration busts forgery ring and illegal massage ops in KL
KUALA LUMPUR: The Immigration Department has cracked down on a document forgery syndicate and illegal massage operations in separate raids across the city. A total of 24 foreign nationals were arrested in the operations, which also uncovered cash and equipment linked to the illegal activities. In Taman Maluri, 19 men were detained for allegedly producing fake electronic Temporary Employment Visit Pass (e-PLKS) slips. The suspects included 16 Bangladeshis and three Myanmar nationals, all aged between 18 and 43. The syndicate reportedly operated under the guise of phone repair and convenience stores, charging RM100 per forged slip. Immigration director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban stated the group had likely been active for around a year. Two of the arrested Bangladeshis were overstayers, while most detainees lacked valid travel documents. Authorities seized RM11,357 in cash, fake e-PLKS slips, passports, laptops, printers, and CCTV cameras during the raid. The suspects are being held at the Putrajaya Immigration Depot for further investigation. In a separate operation in Sri Petaling, five foreigners were arrested for running illegal massage services. The group included one Thai national and four Myanmar men, all targeting male customers. RM3,101 in suspected earnings, promotional materials, and payment QR codes were confiscated. The Thai suspect held a Social Visit Pass, while the Myanmar nationals were undocumented. Zakaria revealed the illegal massage service had operated for four months in unlicensed spa centres. Two local men have been issued notices to assist with the ongoing investigations. - Bernama
