Malaysia will remove its existing preconditions on employing foreign workers and allow demand-based employment in bid to boost its economy, said Minister of Home Affairs Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
Malaysia plans to relax rules on hiring foreign workers as the country's industries have been facing labour shortage. (Photo: AFP/VNA)
Hanoi (VNA)ဣ– Malaysia will remove its existing preconditions on employing foreign workersand allow demand-based employment in bid to boost its economy, said Minister of Home Affairs Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
Speaking after the Government cabinet meeting onJanuary 10, the minister said that the changes in hiring guest workers to meetlabour demand of several industries will help the country increase 1% of itsgross domestic product (GDP). According to Saifuddin, the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Human Resources will jointly implement the scheme. Malaysia has been experiencing a foreign labourshortage for nearly two years because ofthe COVID-19 pandemic with travel restrictions imposed. In November 2020, the government launched the illegalimmigrant recalibration plan to regularise undocumented migrants in the countryas foreign workers, who could be employed by eligible employers subject tostringent conditions determined by the government. However, as the entry of new workers has been slow, industriesin the country, particularly in the manufacturing and palm oil sectors face shortage of labour./.
Although the Government of Malaysia has opened the border since April 1 and encouraged the recruitment of foreign workers, the continued labour shortage is seriously affecting the country’s palm oil industry.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has affirmed that his country will work hard to improve foreign investor's confidence by guaranteeing good governance and a corrupt-free nation.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo and Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim on January 9 witnessed the handover of 11 Letters of Interest (LoI) from Malaysian companies to participate in the development of Indonsia’s National Capital City (IKN) Nusantara.
Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said his two-day official visit to Indonesia at the invitation of President Joko Widodo has met its objectives.
Malaysia, as ASEAN 2025 Chair, marked the bloc’s 58th founding anniversary on August 8 with a vibrant celebration in Cyberjaya, blending an official ceremony with a colorful cultural festival.
Vietnam plays an important role in Southeast Asia’s economic growth and is a key partner of her country in realising the shared vision of a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region, said Robyn Mudie, First Assistant Secretary of Office of Southeast Asia (OSA) – Southeast Asia Regional and Mainland Division at Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
The 2025 ASEAN Business Community Development (ABCD) Forum, themed “Empowering ASEAN's Next Leap: Digital, Sustainable & Entrepreneurial Transformation” brought together ministers, CEOs, and top industry experts to discuss key regional economic priorities.
The DES Ministry will seek cooperation from social media platforms to prevent the spread of fake news and monitor accounts related to such activities, he told reporters after chairing a meeting of the newly established Anti-Fake News Centre (AFNC).
The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking identified the US tariff reduction as a significant driver behind the improved economic outlook for Thailand.
Financial institutions and financial technology (fintech) players are intensifying their focus on expanding across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), adopting tailored strategies to strengthen their presence in the region’s digital financial services landscape.
Featuring a permanent exhibition area, the ASEAN Hall will function both as a cultural showcase and as a dynamic venue for ASEAN-related events and programmes. Its inauguration on ASEAN Day added symbolic weight, marking a fresh milestone in ASEAN–RoK relations.
Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce and rice exporters are devising strategic plans to boost rice exports amid global market fluctuations, focusing on key markets and adjusting output.
The focus of the upcoming ASEAN Summit in October will be on strengthening economic relations through intra-regional trade and investment, as well as regional initiatives on energy networks and connectivity.
Indonesian Ambassador Rina P. Soemarno, who currently serves as Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Prague, emphasised the spirit of regional solidarity and cooperation, and the importance of enhancing ASEAN–Czech Republic relations.
The Indonesian Government is determined to seize opportunities to enhance the competitiveness of national agricultural products, an official has said, adding that it always strives to promote exports at the highest possible level, based on a mutually beneficial foundation.
Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira has outlined a six-point strategy to promote innovation, support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and push for Thailand's removal from the US Trade Representative (USTR)’s special 301 Watch List regarding intellectual property rights protection among trading partners.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Israel Ly Duc Trung emphasised ASEAN’s central role in regional mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit (EAS), highlighting its significant contribution to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in Southeast Asia.
The consumer index of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), fell to 51.7 in July from 52.7 in the previous month. The sluggish economy and the trade war, as well as high living costs, continue to undermine confidence, the university said.
Deputy Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly Istvan Jakab expressed his hope for further deepening Hungary’s ties with ASEAN countries and called for their support for Hungary’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.
The 30-storey tower crumbled seconds after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit neighbouring Myanmar on March 28. The partially built high-rise, meant to house the State Audit Office (SAO), was the only building in Thailand to collapse, killing 89 people on the site, mostly construction workers.
Indonesia’s waste generation is projected to exceed 50 million tonnes in 2025. Of the total, more than 20 million tonnes could potentially enter the ocean through rivers, coastal areas, small islands, ports, and marine activities, and thereby, pose a risk to coastal ecosystems and marine biota.
Indonesia is accelerating plans to increase lithium imports, particularly from Australia, in a bid to fill gaps in the electric vehicle (EV) battery supply chain and realise its ambition of becoming a global EV manufacturing hub.
Malaysia’s gross expenditure on R&D (GERD) reached 1.01% of gross domestic product in 2022, a notable increase, with more than 51% contributed by the industry sector. The country is targeting GERD to reach 2.5% by 2030, in line with the national goal of transforming into a high-technology nation.
Malaysia plans to relax rules on hiring foreign workers as the country's industries have been facing labour shortage. (Photo: AFP/VNA) 
