Round-the-clock breaking news from Malaysia.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has instructed the Ministry of Human Resources to accelerate approvals for 15,000 pending foreign worker applications, according to government spokesperson Fahmi.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has ordered fast-track processing of foreign worker applications for Malaysia's restaurant sector within 30 days, with the Federation of Malaysian Business Associations praising the move as evidence of government attentiveness to industry concerns.
Malaysia's Human Resources Minister has pledged to strengthen cooperation with Pakistan and Sri Lanka on workforce development, skills training, and employment sustainability, signalling deeper regional engagement.
Malaysia's Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan has reiterated that local workers must receive priority in job recruitment before employers turn to foreign labour, reaffirming the government's commitment to Malaysian employment.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has given government ministries 30 days to accelerate foreign worker application processing, with immediate focus on the restaurant sector facing acute staffing challenges.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced the government will prioritise local employment while studying the genuine need for foreign workers across sectors, addressing concerns from small and medium enterprises facing labour shortages.
Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Minister Steven Sim has cautioned Malaysian businesses against viewing artificial intelligence purely as a cost-cutting mechanism, emphasising instead that AI should amplify human capacity while preserving investment in workforce development.
A Ministry of Human Resources study across three regions shows flexible work arrangements significantly boost employee productivity and operational efficiency, with government offering tax incentives to encourage wider adoption.
Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid has called on Malaysia's 1.2 million gig workers to undertake TVET upskilling programmes, with HRD Corp allocating RM3 billion to support career progression beyond ride-sharing and delivery roles.
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Malaysia's Human Resource Ministry has made the LINDUNG 24 Jam non-employment injury scheme voluntary for local workers effective immediately, while keeping it mandatory for foreign workers. The decision follows public consultation.
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The Malaysian government has decided to retain the mandatory retirement age for civil servants at 60, rejecting proposals for an increase. A PERKESO insurance contribution has also been made voluntary.
Malaysia's Ministry of Human Resources has transitioned to a fully automated foreign worker quota system through the eQuota module, eliminating discretionary case-by-case approvals. The shift aims to streamline hiring processes and reduce bureaucratic delays.
Malaysia will restructure its foreign worker management system to improve coordination and efficiency, Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced, citing the need to better align policies with industry requirements.
Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced comprehensive restructuring of Malaysia's foreign worker management system following a special cabinet committee meeting, aiming to improve coordination and align recruitment with actual industry demands.
Parliament has passed amendments to the Employment Insurance System Bill introducing progressive penalties ranging from RM1,000 to RM5,000 for employers who fail to notify PERKESO of vacancies, aiming to strengthen job-matching efforts while supporting compliance.