Boost productivity to lower prices

PENAMPANG: High productivity level contributes to lower prices and stabilization of prices of goods, said International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Darell Leiking.

He said a more efficient organization and community would be able to produce products at a lower cost.

“Productivity is very important to all Malaysians to make sure that prices of goods are also stable, because productivity equals to controlled prices,” said Darell.

“When people are productive, obviously, we have good products that can be manufactured in a short and in efficient time.

“Now at the same time, we want to make sure as well that productivity goes across the board. Also to government departments, to government agencies so that you don't have to wait for too long,” he told reporters this at the national Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC) Productivity Day with Penampang Community Program, which commenced with the Penampang District here yesterday.

“Penampang is a start to do the Explorace and to get data on what and how we can improve productivity in Sabah as well as districts such as Penampang and later on other districts,” he addded.

In line with the government's efforts to transform the nation into a high-tech country, MPC targets SMEs to register through the Industry4WRD Readiness Assessment.

Through the Industry Readiness Assessment4WRD, MPC helps to increase productivity of SMEs comprising manufacturing and manufacturing services through capacity assessment as well as the willingness to adopt Industrial 4.0 technology and processes.

According to Darell, companies shifting to automation and robotic work systems require highly-skilled workers and efficient in technology handling.

The program also saw three experts receiving the Productivity Champion from the Malaysian Productivity Corporation (MPC).

This recognition is given to individuals who have contributed to productivity improvement in their respective organizations.

Meanwhile, MPC chairman Chua Tian Chang said to produce productive people, each individual needs to cultivate the culture of productivity as a way of life.

“This means that the productive people must focus on health, emotion, mentality and physical in whatever tasks or routines, and even the challenges they face,” he said.

Among the activities that took place during the program were Mini Explorace, Productivity Briefing and Industry 4WRD.

Present at the program were MITI secretary general Dato Lokman Hakim Ali, MPC director general Dato Mohd Razali Hussain and the MPC Board Member.