KUALA LUMPUR: Minister of Human Resources Datuk Seri Richard Riot Jaem said the RM400 million levy which had been collected from the human resource development fund would be used for up-skilling and re-skilling of workers including apprentices.
He said this was the first time it has been included in the federal budget.
“Currently, according to statistics, only between 26 to 28 per cent of the workers are skilled workers. With this allocation, we aim to increase skilled workers to 50 per cent by 2020. We will by then be as developed as Germany,” said Riot on the sideline of the 2014 Budget in Parliament here yesterday.
Touching on the same issue, he said his ministry would set up eight new skill centres which would be carried out in collaboration with other training providers.
“As for the advance technical centres (Adtec), we already have four including one in Bintulu which would start operation beginning of next year,” said the Serian MP.
Riot also welcome the allocation of RM300 million for subsidies to close the disparity cost of essential goods between Peninsular and Sabah and Sarawak.
“This is what the people want. As the prices of essential goods will be the same between Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah as well as Sarawak with the subsidies.
“As for BRIM, it will benefit many people in my constituency in Serian as almost 90 per cent of the people there would be eligible for it,” said Riot.
He thanked the Prime Minister for increasing BRIM from RM500 to RM600. And for the single adult, it would increase from RM250 to RM300. “This is part of the Barisan Nasional manefesto to work the talk,” he said.
Meanwhile, with the introduction of the 2014 Budget, Hulu Rajang MP Wilson Ugak Kumbong hoped that more schools in his areas would be upgraded and new ones built.
He said currently at least 30 rural schools have been in bad shape as these schools which were built in the 60s were not meant to last.
He also hoped RM50 million allocated for the continuation of perimeter survey effort would lead to more native customary land surveyed and more titles issued to the natives in Sarawak.