'RM3,500 minimum wage new benchmark'
Published on: Saturday, March 24, 2018
Kota Belud: DATUK Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi says his proposal on Thursday that the minimum wage of Malaysian skilled workers be raised to RM3,500 per month was a new benchmark to encourage Malaysians to take up the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).The Deputy Prime Minister said the proposal was also in line with Malaysia's long-term plan to become a fully developed nation within the next 30 years, as aspired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, through the National Transformation 2050 (TN50)."...giving out a minimum wage of RM3,500 is a new benchmark to encourage Malaysians to take up TVET courses, including at polytechnics.
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"Since we wish to become a developed nation, we want at least 43 per cent of skilled workers in the country. So far, we are at 28 per cent."The establishment of the Kota Belud Polytechnic is one of the Government's efforts to increase the percentage of skilled manpower to 43 per cent. TVET Malaysia aspires that we will not only achieve 43 per cent in 2030, but based on our projections, InsyaAllah (God willing), can reach up to 50 per cent," he said.Ahmad Zahid said this when officiating the groundbreaking ceremony of Politeknik Kota Belud in conjunction with the meet-and-greet session with the Kota Belud residents in Kampung Kesapang, here, Friday.Also present were Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Aman; Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia; Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Dahlan, who is also Kota Belud MP; Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Said Keruak; and Higher Education Deputy Minister Datuk Mary Yap Kain Ching.
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The 36th polytechnic in the country is being built on a 12.14-hectare land in Kampung Kesapang at a cost of RM80 million.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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According to Zahid, once the percentage of Malaysian skilled workers reaches 50 per cent, the country will discontinue taking in foreign skilled workers and rely entirely on local talent, including graduates of polytechnics and community colleges.
