Ahmad Zahid leads the tossing of the ‘Yee Sang’ during the visit to SUPP president Prof Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian (on Zahid’s right), who held a Chinese New Year open house yesterday. — Bernama photo
Ahmad Zahid giving the thumbs-up during a photo session with army personnel. — Photo by Chimon Upon
Ahmad Zahid looking at equipment used by Civil Defence Department for search and rescue operations. Looking on are Masing (right) and Shahidan (second right). — Bernama photo
KOTA SAMARAHAN: The federal cabinet has put on hold the recruitment of foreign workers from all countries until the actual manpower needs of industries have been ascertained.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi called on employers to hire locals following the cabinet’s decision.
“The government has decided to delay recruiting all foreign workers including those from Bangladesh,” he announced after an event at the Muara Tuang Army Camp yesterday to loud applause.
Ahmad Zahid said Putrajaya would review the two-tier levy programme on foreign workers and explained that the decision means no new foreign workers could be brought into the country.
He said those already working in Malaysia would have to go through a review programme to decide whether they would continue to be employed.
Ahmad Zahid pointed out that foreign workers who entered the country without official documents or remained in Malaysia with expired documents would be picked up by the authorities and deported.
He said the government would also ensure foreign workers who remained in the country without the necessary documents would not be able to work in Malaysia again.
“Enforcement initiatives will be launched, and we hope our people will take over the role of foreign labour to be the main driver of the country’s economic development.
“This policy will go on for as long as the government sees the need or when demand from industry arises,” he said.