We Want To Move From Made In Malaysia To Made By Malaysia Says Rafizi

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Economy minister Rafizi Ramli said Malaysia’s main challenge is providing the skilled talent required by investors. (Bernama pic)
PETALING JAYA: The economy ministry is working to shift the nation’s talent development from a focus on the manufacturing process towards inclusion of the design process as well, says its minister Rafizi Ramli.
Towards this end, the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) emphasises a need for talent development reforms to meet workforce needs in the high-income economic sector, Bernama reported.
“(We want to move from) ‘Made in Malaysia’ to ‘Made by Malaysia’.
“This can create high-paying jobs without requiring them to work abroad.
“Currently, ‘Made in Malaysia’ involves assembly work at factories, which often results in lower wages for workers.
“If it’s ‘Made by Malaysia’, we’ll be designing it ourselves. We’re planning to head in that direction.
“However, shifting away from a focus on assembly skills requires different abilities,” he said at a press conference after the first 13MP engagement session with the Perlis government in Kangar today.
Rafizi said Malaysia’s main challenge is providing the skilled talent required by investors.
He said the government’s efforts to supply talent for the high-income economic sector needs to be evaluated in terms of the country’s education system and educational institutions’ direction.
“High-income economic activity is largely no longer about factories or road construction – it’s about creation.
“We have to admit that it will be a challenge for our country, as our entire talent development system is centred on our previous economy, which is about manufacturing and fabrication.” - FMT

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