Politics · Malaysia Bureau
Malaysian firms must embrace automation to reduce reliance on foreign labour
Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Johari Ghani has urged local companies to accelerate automation efforts, emphasising that foreign workers are deployed for dangerous, difficult and dirty roles rather than to displace Malaysian employees.
LSN Malaysia ·
Minister Johari Ghani has called on Malaysian enterprises to step up their investment in automation technologies as part of broader efforts to reduce dependence on migrant workers.
The minister clarified that foreign labour recruitment is intended to fill roles in the so-called 3D sectors—dangerous, difficult and dirty jobs—rather than to substitute local workers in mainstream employment. This distinction underscores the government's position on the role of foreign workers within Malaysia's economy.
According to Johari, the onus lies with local companies to modernise their operations through technological advancement and automation. By doing so, firms can improve productivity and efficiency while reducing their reliance on foreign labour for roles that could be increasingly mechanised.
The minister's remarks reflect ongoing policy concerns about Malaysia's labour market dynamics and the need to balance foreign worker quotas with domestic employment opportunities. Industry observers note that companies investing in automation stand to gain competitive advantages while simultaneously addressing labour shortage challenges in specific sectors.
The government continues to encourage businesses to evaluate their workforce strategies and explore automation solutions tailored to their operational needs.