MEF Looks Forward To Close Collaboration With KESUMA's New Leadership

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 17 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) has welcomed the appointment of Datuk Seri R. Ramanan as Minister of Human Resources and Datuk Khairul Firdaus Akhbar Khan as Deputy Minister, following the announcement of the Cabinet reshuffle by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yesterday.

MEF president Datuk Dr Syed Hussain Syed Husman said the federation looks forward to close collaboration with the new leadership of the Human Resources Ministry (KESUMA) to advance practical and balanced labour policies in line with rapid economic and technological changes.

“MEF looks forward to working closely with the new leadership of KESUMA to advance key labour market priorities,” he said in a statement today.

He said KESUMA plays a critical role in ensuring labour policies remain adaptive, practical and responsive to the realities faced by both employers and workers.

Among MEF’s key priorities are workforce upskilling and reskilling, the development of a National AI Workforce Framework, more predictable foreign workforce policies, including levy rationalisation, productivity-linked wage setting and strengthened occupational safety and health (OSH), he said.

Syed Hussain said the proposed National AI Workforce Framework should be developed in close consultation with industry and social partners.

“Such a framework should focus on job redesign, skills mapping, reskilling pathways, ethical AI adoption and transitional support for affected workers. Clear policy guidance will help businesses leverage AI to improve productivity while ensuring workforce readiness and employment sustainability,” he said.

MEF also called for stronger industry-driven skills development through enhanced collaboration between KESUMA, training providers and employers, as well as better alignment of training programmes with market needs.

On foreign labour, Syed Hussain urged a more transparent, predictable and efficient policy framework, including a review of foreign worker levies.

“Levy structures should be equitable, sector-sensitive and aligned with labour market realities, while avoiding excessive cost pressures that could undermine business sustainability and competitiveness,” he said.

He added that wage policies should continue to be evidence-based and productivity-linked, taking into account economic conditions, business capacity and sectoral differences.

MEF also expressed strong support for safer and healthier workplaces and encouraged the introduction of OSH incentives to assist employers, particularly micro, small and medium enterprises.

The federation also recorded its appreciation to former Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong and former Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad.

“MEF acknowledges their efforts in introducing positive institutional reforms, strengthening labour market governance and fostering constructive tripartite engagement,” he said.

MEF said it looks forward to continued collaboration with the new minister and deputy minister to advance forward-looking labour policies that support productivity, competitiveness, decent work and sustainable economic growth in Malaysia.

 Sim now changes portfolio to Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Minister, while Abdul Rahman Mohamad has been made Deputy Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation. 

Ramanan and Khairul Firdaus previously served as Deputy Minister of Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development and Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, respectively. 

-- BERNAMA