PUCHONG: The Human Resources Ministry via the Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp) has collected a record-breaking levy amounting to RM2.3bil last year, says minister Steven Sim.
In comparison, he said HRD Corp collected an estimated RM2.1bil in levies in 2023.
“Last year, HRD Corp once again broke records with the highest levy collection in its 32-year history, reaching RM2.3bil in 2024 compared to RM2.1bil in 2023.
“For us, the mandate is clear. It is not just to collect levy, but we want to ensure that the levy is fully utilised,” he said in his speech during a joint Chinese New Year open house organised by HRD Corp and the ministry at SJK (C) Sin Ming, Puchong yesterday.
Also present at the event were Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo and Human Resources Ministry secretary-general Datuk Azman Mohd Yusof, HRD Corp chairman Datuk Abu Huraira Abu Yazid and China’s Ambassador to Malaysia, Ouyang Yujing.
Sim said the ministry is also aiming to boost business efficiency by expediting grant approvals.
“Under the Kesuma Reengineering Policy, it previously took us one week to process levy claims from employers but this year, we aim to reduce it to just one hour.
“As for training providers, if it used to take seven days, this year, we are targeting only three days.
“This is our aspiration under the administration of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim,” he added.
At the same time, Sim said all agencies and departments under the Human Resources Ministry, including HRD Corp, had implemented management reforms to ensure stakeholders are given the best services.
Yesterday’s open house was attended by about 1,000 people including HRD Corp’s stakeholders comprising those from employer groups and industry associations, trainers, training providers and members of the public.
Among the highlights of the event was HRD Corp’s presentation of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) contributions to 20 organisations and NGOs.
Guests were entertained with performances including lion dances. Food such as satay, egg tarts and peanut candies were available too.
Workshops were held on Chinese calligraphy, lantern-making and Chinese knot art, which enabled participants to immerse themselves in traditional craftsmanship.
On a separate matter, Sim said that any plans, such as a proposal to hire Rohingya refugees to meet the labour demand in the food and beverage sector, need to consider the country’s laws and policies.He said all parties, including the Malaysian Muslim Restaurant Owners Association (Presma) is free to give their feedback.
“They can give suggestions, but we need to look at the suitability,” he told reporters after the event.
Sim was asked about Presma’s remarks that its members are willing to hire Rohingya.
Presma president Datuk Jawahir Ali Taib Khan said the limited response from locals to job advertisements made through the Labour Department left the association with no choice but to hope that the government will allow for the recruitment of foreign workers.
Currently, the nation’s restaurant sector is facing a labour shortage of about 25,000 workers.
About three months ago, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the freeze on applications to hire foreign workers, in place since March 2023, would be maintained until at least the first quarter of 2025.
