The Malaysian Employers Federation welcomes the new KESUMA minister and deputy, urging focus on AI, foreign labour policy and skills development.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) has welcomed the new leadership at the Ministry of Human Resources.
MEF president Datuk Dr Syed Hussain Syed Husman said the federation anticipates close collaboration with Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan and Deputy Minister Datuk Khairul Firdaus Akhbar Khan.
He stated that KESUMA plays a critical role in ensuring labour policies remain adaptive and responsive to economic and technological changes.
“MEF looks forward to working closely with the new leadership of KESUMA to advance key labour market priorities,” Syed Hussain said.
The federation’s key priorities include workforce upskilling and the development of a National AI Workforce Framework.
It also advocates for more predictable foreign workforce policies, including a review of levy structures.
MEF called for wage policies to remain evidence-based and productivity-linked, considering economic conditions and sectoral differences.
The federation expressed strong support for safer workplaces and encouraged occupational safety and health incentives for employers.
MEF also recorded its appreciation to former minister Steven Sim Chee Keong and former deputy minister Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad.
Syed Hussain acknowledged their efforts in introducing positive institutional reforms and strengthening labour market governance.
The federation looks forward to advancing policies that support productivity, competitiveness and sustainable economic growth.
Sim is now the Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Minister, while Abdul Rahman Mohamad is the Deputy Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation.
Ramanan and Khairul Firdaus were previously deputy ministers in different ministries.
