KULA RIGHT MAN FOR THE RIGHT JOB
AS Malaysia embraces the digital economy and Industrial Revolution 4.0 (IR 4.0), we appear to be engrossed in building infrastructure, like rolling out 5G technology and building smart cities.
In the scramble to stay ahead of the technological curve, we forget our most important resource: human capital.
Automation, Big Data, cloud computing and the Internet of things (IOT) are all hallmarks of IR 4.0, but they can be used and executed only if people have the skills to do so.
Failure to develop a skilled workforce will result in our dependence on foreign labour, putting Malaysia at the mercy of nations with more highly-skilled workers.
As someone who spent 13 years in Silicone Valley, California, before returning to Malaysia, I must say that, at first, I was worried about the country’s long-term human resources prospects.
But I am gratified to learn that Human Resources Minister M. Kulasegaran is staying on top of things and charting the way forward.
He has not only committed to getting the workforce up to speed with the market demands, but has also fostered an environment for them to thrive.
His pronouncements about prioritising technical and vocational education training (TVET) were brave as they went against Asian values of academic pursuits.
Germany and Japan are technological giants due to the emphasis they placed on technical and vocational tracks in their educational systems.
Better late than never for
Malaysia to catch up.
Kulasegaran had also done the right thing by encouraging working adults to upskill when he directed TVET institutes to hold classes after office hours.
This will help adults whose jobs are rendered obsolete to pick up skills and become employable.
Beyond TVET, he has forged the right ecosystem for human resources to flourish in Malaysia.
His presence at the May Day rally organised by the Malaysian Trades Union Congress marked the first time in decades a minister had attended the event and served as a boost for workers.
At the event, he pledged to amend seven employment-related laws that will make Malaysia’s labour legislation on a par with that of developed nations.
These include curbing discrimination and sexual harassment at the workplace and boosting female participation in the labour market.
Not left out are the disabled community and the elderly, who are often sidelined for employment opportunities.
His commitment to reduce foreign labour from six million to four million within five years reflects his desire to kick Malaysia’s addiction to cheap workers at the expense of long-term economic wellbeing.
Kulasegaran has articulated a plan to boost automation at the workplace to achieve this target.
Based on policy announcements, Kulasegaran has his fingers on the pulse of emerging global trends in the human capital sector.
He has been able to translate current and future labour market needs into plans through the cabinet or otherwise, bringing Malaysia closer to becoming a high-income nation.
Credit must be given where credit is due.
I don’t think the media has done Kulasegaran justice just because he carries out his duties without much fanfare.
His approach in getting human resources policies on the right track makes him the right man for the right job. DR MOHD FIRDAUS ILHAM (PH.D) Bangi, Selangor