logo
Yayasan Peneraju unveils initiative to boost Bumiputera career switch, talents to get RM1,500 a month

Yayasan Peneraju unveils initiative to boost Bumiputera career switch, talents to get RM1,500 a month

KUALA LUMPUR: Yayasan Peneraju has launched YPXLR8 (YP Accelerate) to create accessible and sustainable tech career pathways for 1,000 Bumiputera individuals.
Peneraju, an agency under the Economy Ministry, said YP Accelerate is a place-and-train programme designed to bring more tech roles filled with workforce from non-tech roles.
Each selected talent will receive financial support of RM1,500 per month for eight months as part of the programme.
They will also receive a further RM9,000 one-off training credits to ensure that they get the necessary tech-related training while on the job.
Peneraju said the programme comes at a critical time, with global reports identifying digital transformation as the most significant trend affecting employment.
Technology-related skills, particularly in Artificial Intelligence (AI), big data, networks, cybersecurity and technological literacy are expected to be among the fastest-growing in the coming years.
Economy Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Rafizi Ramli said the economic landscape is becoming increasingly tech-driven.
While embracing innovative AI solutions, he said it is equally crucial for Malaysia's next-generation workforce to be equipped advanced skills in emerging technologies ensuring they meet the industry demands and remain competitive.
"YPXLR8 offers an ideal platform to pivot Bumiputera talents towards this opportunity," he said in a statement.
"This initiative supports Malaysia's digital transformation agenda by building a robust Bumiputera presence in strategic technology sectors, aligning with the Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint and 4IR Policy initiatives," he added.
As part of this effort, Peneraju is seeking industry partners from all sectors, to serve as hosting companies, playing a crucial role in the programme's success by providing both employment and training opportunities.
The roles must be in tech-related fields, such as digital analytics, cybersecurity, business intelligence or similar.
Peneraju chief executive officer Ibrahim Sani said the programme is are opening doors for Bumiputera individuals from all backgrounds, regardless of prior tech experience to participate in the programme and take on tech roles.
He noted that with the hundreds of thousands of jobs that will be displaced because of the AI revolution, the millions of talents today need to be re-equipped with the tools to be future-proofed by being tech-ready.
"Participants will receive industry-relevant training during a minimum eight-month placement with hosting companies or a permanent position, developing key skills through structured mentorship and hands-on experience.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

RM100 aid short-term spending booster but not market mover: Economists
RM100 aid short-term spending booster but not market mover: Economists

The Sun

timean hour ago

  • The Sun

RM100 aid short-term spending booster but not market mover: Economists

PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's announcement of a one‑off RM100 cash handout has lifted sentiment in consumer‑related stocks, but economists caution that the impact on actual spending and equity performance may be fleeting, with deeper structural challenges still weighing on the economy. The initiative, worth RM2 billion, is designed to provide relief to households and channel spending into local goods and services. However, views among analysts and economists are mixed – some highlight modest gains for low‑income groups and small businesses, while others warn the measure may do little to shift broader market fundamentals. Center for Market Education chief executive Dr Carmelo Ferlito was blunt in his assessment, describing the handout as neither transformative for household consumption patterns nor meaningful for equity markets. 'While the measure is costly at the aggregate level, it is not a needle‑mover at the micro level,' he told SunBiz. 'I struggle to see how RM100 can affect consumption patterns in any sensible way. Economically, it hardly has any logic behind it and appears to have more of a political flavour.' Ferlito also raised concerns over the potential inflationary effects of injecting cash into the economy, particularly if such policies become frequent. 'Monetary injections are the real cause of inflation, a permanent and generalised increase in prices due to the quantity of money growing faster than economic output,' he said, adding that such measures risk masking structural issues in household income and consumer demand. From a sectoral perspective, Dr Ida Yasin, economist at Universiti Putra Malaysia, said the RM100 payment is more likely to generate a temporary boost for retailers and wholesalers rather than driving sustained gains in the stock market. 'This voucher is to boost demand for goods and services in Malaysia, not so much the demand for stocks,' she said. 'Retail and wholesale demand could rise temporarily, especially in essentials like food and household goods, but most stock market movements depend on business fundamentals.' Ida stressed that the handout's impact would likely fade after its expiry in December, underscoring the short‑term nature of the initiative. 'It benefits sellers, wholesalers and producers, from vegetables to chicken, but the up‑and‑down movements in the stock market are quite normal and not directly tied to such measures,' she said. In contrast, Prof Geoffrey Williams, economist and founder of Williams Business Consultancy, sees value in the handout for low‑income households, noting its multiplier effect on domestic consumption. 'RM100 does not sound like much, but it is a 6% boost for someone on minimum wage of RM1,700. For a family of four adults in the B40 group, that's about a 6–7% rise in monthly income,' he explained. Williams estimated the RM2 billion programme could generate RM6 billion in consumption through multiplier effects, providing a small but notable stimulus to economic growth in the second half of the year. 'This will particularly help SMEs in local communities. It won't harm the fiscal deficit because it's funded by subsidy rationalisation savings,' he said. Williams also suggested the initiative could act as a pilot for a more ambitious social welfare reform. 'If this evolved into a monthly universal basic income, it could be a game‑changer for social policy. Universality reduces costs and complexity, and future versions could be made more progressive,' he added. Despite the initial rally in consumer‑linked counters on Bursa Malaysia, analysts caution that sentiment‑driven gains may not be sustainable without underlying earnings growth. Ferlito pointed to external headwinds, including global political tensions and slower economic momentum, as key drivers of investor caution. 'What emerges here is the concern about the economy slowing down due to international tensions, both political and economic,' he said, warning against overestimating the handout's role in market performance. Ida echoed this, noting that investors should watch core consumption data, such as household spending trends within GDP, to gauge any lasting effects. 'Most of the time, it depends on fundamentals rather than short‑term cash injections,' she said. With the cash handout set to conclude by year‑end, attention now turns to whether Malaysia will adopt similar measures in Budget 2026. Williams believes the government should study the current initiative's outcomes to guide future policy design. 'The most important thing is to learn lessons about the impact so that Malaysia can move to a regular monthly payment. Hopefully this can be announced in Budget 2026,' he said. For now, economists agree that while the RM100 handout provides short‑term relief and a modest consumption boost, it does little to address structural income gaps or long‑term growth prospects for consumer stocks. As markets digest the announcement, the focus will likely shift back to corporate earnings, inflation trends and global economic conditions heading into 2026.

More R&D to produce local fruits year-round
More R&D to produce local fruits year-round

The Star

timean hour ago

  • The Star

More R&D to produce local fruits year-round

KLANG: Thailand and Japan have been used as reference points in research and development (R&D) for seasonal fruits to achieve year-round production. Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu ( pic ) said the effort, undertaken by the Agriculture Department and the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Mardi), is in line with the campaign to promote local fruits and vegetables. 'We are carrying out R&D to produce new seeds and so on. 'The Mardi durian, for example, was produced recently in Kuala Kangsar. 'Delicious (and) high quality,' he said when launching the National Campaign to Eat More Local Fruits and Vegetables at the four-day Fama Fest 2025@ Selangor here yesterday. Mohamad said the ministry is very serious about boosting the popularity of local fruits among Malaysians. As part of the effort, he said the government decided that local fruits must be served at official functions as a show of support for local farmers. 'During my visit to Thailand as Defence Minister (May 2018 to February 2020), I was served cuisine made with local fruits and vegetables throughout my time there. 'The same goes for Japan – almost 100% local,' he said, Bernama reported. Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama) chairman Aminuddin Zulkipli said the fest, which featured 50 local entrepreneurs and drew more than 40,000 visitors, recorded a sales value of over RM800,000. Since its launch in 2017, the Fama Fest has been a catalyst for the economic growth of agri-entrepreneurs, he said. Last year's event saw the participation of 949 entrepreneurs and attracted more than 492,000 visitors nationwide, generating RM8.8mil in sales. This year, the target is RM5.3mil in sales with 265,000 visitors and the involvement of 383 entrepreneurs across six locations.

'Muar pick a recognition of Johor's contributions to the nation'
'Muar pick a recognition of Johor's contributions to the nation'

New Straits Times

time2 hours ago

  • New Straits Times

'Muar pick a recognition of Johor's contributions to the nation'

MUAR: Muar being chosen as the venue for the 2025 National Month and Fly the Jalur Gemilang campaign launch is a recognition of Johor's contributions to the nation. Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi described the choice as "no coincidence", saying Muar was the cradle of Malaysia's independence movement. "This is not merely a launch venue. It is a symbol of honour, a tribute to Johor's deep-rooted spirit of patriotism and nationhood," said Onn Hafiz yesterday. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim launched the event at Dataran Tanjung Emas. Also present was Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil. Onn Hafiz expressed his gratitude to the prime minister and federal administration for choosing Johor, saying the decision reflected mutual trust and a renewed synergy between federal and state governments. He welcomed key federal announcements, including the new RM1,700 minimum wage, reduced RON95 petrol price and expanded Rahmah Madani sales, as concrete steps towards easing the people's burdens. "Real freedom isn't just about being rid of colonisers. It means escaping poverty, coping with living costs and living with dignity in our own land," he said, adding that the theme "Malaysia Madani: Rakyat Disantuni" (Protecting the People's Welfare) resonated with Johoreans. Onn Hafiz said Johor secured RM30.1 billion in approved investments in the first quarter. "The state's gross domestic product grew 6.4 per cent last year, surpassing the national average. "These are not just numbers. They reflect Johor's status as not only the economic driver of the south, but one of the key engines of national growth," he added.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store