RM1.3 Billion GE16 Cost Could Drive Education, TVET and Malaysia’s Future Talent Pipeline – Aimi Zulhazmi
PETALING JAYA: The estimated RM1.3 billion required to conduct Malaysia’s 16th General Election (GE16) could potentially deliver greater long-term economic returns if channelled into education, skills development and workforce transformation initiatives, according to economist Associate Professor Dr. Aimi Zulhazmi Abdul Rashid.
The Universiti Kuala Lumpur academic said the sizeable allocation could be used to strengthen Malaysia’s human capital foundation and improve the country’s competitiveness in attracting high-value investments over the next decade.
According to Aimi, the amount represents more than just an election expenditure. It also highlights the scale of resources that could be mobilised to support strategic national development priorities capable of generating lasting economic and social benefits.
He noted that RM1.3 billion could fund the construction of approximately 200 new schools nationwide, helping address increasing enrolment demand while improving access to educational facilities in rapidly expanding communities.
“Education remains one of the most effective long-term investments because it directly contributes to workforce quality, productivity and economic growth,” he said.
Beyond school infrastructure, Aimi suggested that the allocation could support large-scale workforce training programmes aimed at equipping more than 500,000 Malaysians with skills in digital technology, automation, artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing.
He explained that the global economy is increasingly driven by technology-intensive industries, making workforce readiness a critical factor in national competitiveness.
Malaysia’s ability to attract quality investments, he added, depends heavily on the availability of skilled workers capable of supporting sophisticated industrial operations.
Among the sectors that could benefit most from such investments is the semiconductor industry, which continues to attract significant global capital amid growing demand for advanced chips and electronics.
Aimi proposed expanding talent development initiatives such as the Malaysia AP Talent Fund, which focuses on producing highly skilled professionals for semiconductor manufacturing and related industries.
Through similar programmes, he estimated that at least 5,000 specialised workers could be trained to support Malaysia’s ambitions of becoming a major technology and semiconductor hub in the region.
“Global investors place considerable emphasis on workforce quality. Countries that can consistently provide highly skilled talent are more likely to attract large-scale investments and secure stronger positions within global supply chains,” he said.
He added that enhanced talent development efforts could help Malaysia attract up to RM30 billion in foreign direct investment through advanced semiconductor packaging facilities and other high-value technology projects.
Apart from talent programmes, Aimi also advocated greater investment in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), which has become increasingly important as industries adopt automation and Industry 4.0 technologies.
He suggested upgrading around 100 vocational colleges and 50 community colleges into advanced training centres equipped with robotics systems, computer numerical control (CNC) machinery, semiconductor laboratories and renewable energy technologies.
Such upgrades, he said, would provide students with practical industry exposure while ensuring graduates possess skills aligned with market requirements.
In addition, he proposed offering full tuition assistance to as many as 200,000 school leavers from lower-income households, enabling them to pursue high-demand technical training programmes.
Graduates from these initiatives could potentially earn monthly salaries exceeding RM3,500, improving household incomes and contributing to broader economic development.
The discussion surrounding GE16 expenditure follows recent remarks by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who emphasised that economic recovery and public welfare remain the government’s primary priorities.
Earlier, former Election Commission deputy chairman Wan Ahmad Wan Omar estimated that organising GE16 could cost more than RM1.3 billion due to rising logistical and administrative expenses.
However, Universiti Malaya sociopolitical analyst Awang Azman Awang Pawi argued that election spending should not be viewed solely through a financial lens, as democratic processes require substantial resources to function effectively.
He said that if the election results in a stable government with a clear mandate to govern, the expenditure could also be regarded as an investment in political stability and institutional continuity.
Nonetheless, the debate has sparked broader discussions about opportunity costs and how major public expenditures could potentially be redirected towards initiatives that strengthen education, workforce readiness and Malaysia’s long-term economic resilience.
