Kuala lumpur: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has instructed the relevant ministries and departments to resolve foreign worker employment application issues according to priority, particularly for the restaurant sector, within one month. He emphasized the need for restaurant operators to fill labour shortages while ensuring that the recruitment of foreign workers is managed in a controlled manner.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Anwar stated that the government cannot fully open the space for foreign worker recruitment due to the high number of foreign workers already present, including unskilled ones. However, he acknowledged the urgent need to address worker shortages in specific sectors, such as restaurants. Anwar announced this directive during the launch of the Indian Muslim Transformational Framework (IMTF) 2030 at the PICCA@Arena Butterworth Convention Centre.
The event was attended by notable figures, including Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, Minister of Higher Education Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Steven Sim, and Pertubuhan Gabungan MUKMIN Nasional (MUKMIN) president Datuk Shahul Dawood.
Previously, it was highlighted by Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil, who also serves as the MADANI Government spokesman, that the government planned to review foreign worker recruitment needs in sectors such as restaurants and construction. This decision came after requests were raised during a Cabinet meeting.
Malaysia has a policy under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) which caps foreign worker employment to 15 per cent of the national workforce. Under the 13MP, the aim is to further reduce this to 10 per cent by 2030.
In addition to addressing the foreign worker issue, Anwar, also the Finance Minister, announced a RM2 million allocation to MUKMIN. This fund is intended for the welfare and education of children from poor families, aligning with the government's efforts to improve educational access for those in need.
Earlier in the event, Anwar officiated the IMTF 2030, marking it as the first comprehensive five-year transformation framework dedicated to the Indian Muslim community in Malaysia. The framework aims to foster excellence in education, entrepreneurship, leadership, and national development.