PPBM will reduce need for foreign workers

SHAH ALAM: PPBM has pledged to reduce the presence of foreign workers in the country and will train locals to take over their jobs.

Party chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad said this in his address to delegates at the PPBM annual general meeting here, today.

“The presence of foreigners should not rise to the extent of radically changing the distribution of the proportion of various ethnic groups in Malaysia.

“The number of migrants which has risen to over seven million will be reduced to two million,” he said referring to the issue of how the number of Bangladeshis in Malaysia was believed to be comparable to the number of Malaysians of Indian descent.

He said the opposition, should they win the next general election, will put in place the right measures to check the issue.

“Locals will be trained to take over from these foreign migrants. Certain incentives will be given to them, while investments that require foreign workers should be reduced.

“But of course if foreign workers are required, taxes will not be excluded,” he said in his speech to the approximately 1,000 people in attendance at the Ideal Convention Centre.

The former prime minister added that the country’s main policy would also be formulated to prioritise job opportunities for citizens and if necessary, protection will be given to new industries to ensure competitiveness.

“Labour and management in manufacturing plants set up under FDI (foreign direct investment) will be made up of Malaysians unless there are certain reasons.

“Similarly, the supply of materials and components will be from within the country.

“The car manufacturing industry and others will be encouraged. The government will provide assistance for research and development,” he said.

Mahathir, who is also Pakatan Harapan chairman, has been accused of being “stuck in the past” and “unable to accept” that the economic reality and requirements for the country to progress are now different from what it was during his time as PM from 1981-2003.

He was also criticised for not being critical about foreign workers’ remittances or repatriation in the past, estimated to be RM20 billion per year, during his tenure. -FMT