Malaysia to Introduce Immediate Measures as Job Losses Rise to 7,057 Cases in April
BUKIT MERTAJAM: The Malaysian government will introduce immediate measures within the next two weeks to assist the 7,057 workers who lost their jobs in April following a sharp increase in retrenchment cases nationwide.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the matter had been discussed during the National Economic Action Council (MTEN) meeting to ensure support and alternative employment opportunities could be provided, especially for young people.
He said the government also intends to improve coordination between incoming investments and job opportunities for Malaysians.
Focus on Major Industrial Areas
According to Anwar Ibrahim, new employment opportunities are emerging alongside investments flowing into key industrial regions such as Perak, Penang, Kulim High Tech in Kedah, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Johor and Sarawak.
“We must ensure proper synergy between new investments and employment opportunities in these regions,” he told reporters after presenting sacrificial cows to the Penanti state constituency community.
He added that additional measures are expected to be announced within one or two weeks to help stabilise the situation and create new employment opportunities, particularly for youths.
Job Losses Increased by 21 Per Cent
The prime minister’s remarks followed reports showing that job losses in April rose by 21 per cent compared with 5,855 cases recorded in March.
The figures were earlier disclosed by Economy Minister Mohd Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir.
Although the increase has not yet reached an alarming stage, Anwar Ibrahim stressed that the government takes seriously the impact on affected workers and their families.
“Every job loss within a family is deeply concerning, and we are doing our best to address the situation,” he said.
IT and AI Among Government Priorities
The prime minister, who also serves as finance minister, said the information technology (IT) and artificial intelligence (AI) sectors remain among the government’s major focus areas due to rising market demand.
He said specialised training programmes could be introduced if necessary to help young Malaysians transition into new employment sectors aligned with evolving economic trends.
The initiative is seen as part of the government’s broader strategy to strengthen the local workforce amid changes in the global industrial landscape.
Aidiladha Contribution in Permatang Pauh
Earlier, Anwar Ibrahim, who is also the former Permatang Pauh MP, contributed 260 sacrificial cows to communities within the Permatang Pauh parliamentary constituency in conjunction with this year’s Aidiladha celebrations.
