Kuala lumpur: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has instructed the Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA) to swiftly process the initial batch of 15,000 foreign worker applications. This decision aims to tackle the ongoing labour shortages affecting crucial sectors and bolster Malaysia's economic activities.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Communications Minister and MADANI Government spokesperson Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil stated that the directive is designed to address the workforce demands of impacted industries. He emphasized that fulfilling these labour requirements will, in turn, support economic activities throughout the country.

Earlier, Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan revealed that KESUMA had taken over complete responsibility for managing the One-Stop Centre (OSC) for Foreign Worker Management. This change, effective immediately, followed a Cabinet decision dated July 1. The objective of this transition is to enhance governance within the foreign worker recruitment process, ensuring that industry labour needs are met more efficiently and systematically.

The first 2026 Cabinet Committee on Foreign Workers meeting, held on June 30, resulted in the decision to place the OSC under the purview of KESUMA with immediate effect.