Shah alam: The logistics and transport sector continues to play a crucial role as a key engine of Malaysia’s economic growth, contributing between four and six percent to the national gross domestic product in recent years, said Ministry of Transport secretary-general Datuk Seri Jana Santhiran Muniayan. He noted that the sector’s significance is further reflected in employment figures, with the transport and storage subsector providing jobs for about 670,000 people or roughly five percent of the national workforce.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Jana Santhiran emphasized that this number continues to grow, driven by expanding e-commerce, warehousing, and regional supply-chain activities that sustain Malaysia’s role as a key trading hub in ASEAN. Speaking at the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) Malaysia Convocation 2025 at the Shah Alam Convention Centre, he pointed out that despite the country’s robust growth, the industry continues to face several challenges, particularly in human capital development.
Jana Santhiran highlighted key issues such as skills mismatch, high turnover in operational roles, limited talent readiness, and the need to enhance capabilities in sustainability, energy efficiency, and carbon management. He stressed the importance of a more strategic approach to workforce development, focusing on upskilling, professional accreditation, and continuous learning.
He praised CILT as an indispensable partner to both the government and industry in nurturing competent, ethical, and future-ready professionals. Through its internationally recognized programs, CILT ensures Malaysia’s logistics practitioners remain aligned with global standards.
The secretary-general further added that the ministry values its collaboration with CILT, as it supports ongoing initiatives under the National Transport Policy and the Malaysia MADANI framework to develop a sustainable, innovative, and human-centric transport ecosystem. The government, through Budget 2026 and other policy frameworks, continues to prioritize the industry’s development by promoting green logistics, digitalization, multimodal connectivity, and talent development across public and private sectors.
Jana Santhiran noted that Malaysia’s logistics market, valued at about US$29 billion this year, is projected to expand to nearly US$38 billion by 2030, growing at an average annual rate of five percent. This growth will be fueled by regional integration, e-commerce expansion, digital transformation, and the global shift toward low-carbon operations. He emphasized the need for continued investment in technology, talent, and trust to fully capture these opportunities.
Additionally, Jana Santhiran commended 18 officers from the ministry who were among those conferred as Chartered Members of CILT this year, acknowledging their professionalism, discipline, and dedication to public service. A total of 581 graduands were recognized at the event, comprising 355 graduates from public and private universities and 226 professionals from the logistics and transport industry.