Pahang: Workforce marketability in Pahang rose in the second quarter of this year to 783,600 people, compared to 768,600 people in the same period last year. Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail attributed this positive achievement to political stability, increased productivity, and governance with integrity, which boosted investor confidence in the state.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, although the state government did not set a specific target for the unemployment rate, consistent decreases since last year demonstrated the effectiveness of economic policies that directly impacted the job market. The data from the Statistics Department indicated that the unemployment rate in Pahang dropped from 16,700 people or 2.2 percent last year to 14,000 people or 1.8 percent currently.
Wan Rosdy highlighted that Pahang’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth was 5.7 percent in 2024, surpassing the national rate of 5.1 percent, with a value of RM 68.7 billion. This growth was driven by the service sector, manufacturing, quarrying and mining, as well as agriculture, attracting investors and creating more jobs.
The investment sector also saw growth due to political stability and unity, providing confidence to investors to invest in the state. As of September this year, investments into Pahang totaled RM17.43 billion, exceeding the year’s target of RM14.09 billion. Additionally, revenue collection has exceeded RM1 billion for four consecutive years.
Based on the positive economic performance, Wan Rosdy expressed confidence that Pahang was on track to achieve the status of a high-income state. He also emphasized the effectiveness of the Career Assurance Programme, organised by YP Advanced Skills, in reducing youth unemployment in Pahang. The programme enabled its alumni to secure incomes exceeding the minimum wage of RM1,700, with some achieving a monthly income of RM31,000.
In other developments, Wan Rosdy mentioned that the state was prepared to face the recurring floods. He expressed hope that there would be no loss of life, as was the case last year.