Latest news with #PERKESO
The Star
4 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Sim: AI revolution brings jobs
Steven Sim launching the workshop on Empowering Job Seekers Digital Platform Best Practices from OIC Member Countries at Hotel Royale Chulan in Kuala Lumpur on July 8. — LOW BOON TAT/The Star KUALA LUMPUR: While artificial intelligence (AI) offers exciting opportunities for economic growth and innovation, it also poses significant risks to the labour market if not managed responsibly, says the Human Resources Minister. Steven Sim (pic) shared a personal experience from the previous day, when he came across a seemingly genuine comment generated by AI on his Facebook post. The comment, tailored to the original content, urged readers to click on a link, which led to a scam site. 'This is the latest evolution. It shows how AI is being misused to manipulate people in increasingly convincing ways. 'AI is an opportunity for new growth. However, while it can enhance productivity in the workplace, it also brings the potential to aid criminal activity – for instance, among scammers,' he said during a speech at the Workshop on Empowering Job Seekers: Digital Platform Best Practices from OIC Member Countries yesterday. Meanwhile, PERKESO chairman Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal also highlighted the growing threat of job scams that exploit job seekers and undermine public trust in digital employment platforms. 'Combating such fraudulent practices requires a coordinated approach involving strong cybersecurity measures, public awareness campaigns, verification mechanisms and timely enforcement. 'Through robust cooperation and the exchange of best practices, tools and strategies, OIC Public Employment Service Network (OIC-Pesnet) member countries can more effectively combat job scams. 'This collaborative effort will secure our labour markets, protect our citizens, and maintain the integrity of our employment systems,' he added. Sim also cited a study by the Human Resources Ministry released late last year, which found that up to 600,000 jobs in Malaysia could be affected by AI over the next three to five years. 'The same report also indicates that hundreds of thousands of new jobs will be created through the AI revolution. Some of these roles are no longer just projections – they are already being advertised,' he said. He added that AI and digital tools must be incorporated into public employment services – not only to improve service delivery but also to raise awareness of the associated risks. Sim said that the government had recently agreed to amend legislation to enhance the role of PERKESO as a key provider of public employment services. A cornerstone of this effort is the MyFutureJobs portal, launched in 2020, which uses AI to facilitate efficient job matching and provides personalised recruitment services to both employers and job seekers. On average, the portal offers between 1.5 million and two million job vacancies annually, registers around 500,000 job seekers, and achieves a placement rate of 60% to 70% each year. Sim said MyFutureJobs is a leading example of digital employment services among Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member countries. From January to May this year, MyFutureJobs recorded 111,459 registered job seekers, over 633,000 job vacancies advertised, and more than 74,000 individuals successfully placed into employment. The two-day workshop, held in Kuala Lumpur and hosted by PERKESO, brought together public sector employment service leaders from OIC countries to explore digital innovations in addressing youth unemployment, skills mismatches, and workforce participation challenges. Key topics included AI-driven career guidance, the evolution of job portals, and strategies to tackle online job scams.
The Star
4 days ago
- Business
- The Star
AI reshaping labour market with fresh growth and real risks, says Sim
KUALA LUMPUR: While artificial intelligence (AI) offers exciting opportunities for economic growth and innovation, it also poses significant risks to the labour market if not handled responsibly, says Steven Sim. The Human Resources Minister said AI was already beginning to reshape the employment landscape in Malaysia, describing it as an ethics-neutral tool. "Enhancing productivity for work also means the potential to enhance productivity for criminal activity — for instance, scammers. 'AI is definitely an opportunity for new growth, but it is also a real risk, especially to our job market,' he said during a speech at the Workshop on Empowering Job Seekers: Digital Platform Best Practices from OIC Member Countries on Tuesday (July 8). Sim shared a personal experience from the previous day, where he came across a seemingly genuine comment generated by AI on his Facebook post. The comment, tailored to the original content, urged readers to click a link — which led to a scam site. 'This is the latest evolution. It shows how AI is being misused to manipulate people in increasingly convincing ways,' he said. He cited a study by the Human Resources Ministry released late last year, which found that up to 600,000 jobs in Malaysia could be affected by AI over the next three to five years. 'The same report also indicates that hundreds of thousands of new jobs will be created through the AI revolution. Some of these roles are no longer just projections — they are already being advertised,' Sim noted. He stressed that AI and digital tools must be incorporated into public employment services — not only to improve service delivery but also to build awareness of associated risks. Highlighting Malaysia's proactive approach, Sim said the government had recently agreed to amend legislation to enhance the role of PERKESO (Social Security Organisation) as a key provider of public employment services. A cornerstone of this effort is the MyFutureJobs portal, launched in 2020, which uses AI to facilitate efficient job matching and provides personalised recruitment services to both employers and job seekers. On average, the portal offers between 1.5 million and 2 million job vacancies annually, registers around 500,000 job seekers, and achieves a placement rate of 60% to 70% each year. 'In the first five months of this year alone, MyFutureJobs registered 111,459 job seekers, listed 633,665 job vacancies, and successfully placed 74,576 individuals into employment,' he added. He said the data collected via the platform plays a crucial role in shaping labour market reforms, feeding back into policy decision-making at the ministry and PERKESO through data analytics. In April, the government launched an AI-enabled National Labour Market Exchange to share these analytics with the public and encourage more research, analysis, and informed discussion about the Malaysian labour market. To further strengthen the digital ecosystem, the Prime Minister launched the MyFutureJobs mobile app on May Day this year. This was followed by the rollout of One-Stop Labour Service Centres in Penang, Kuala Lumpur and Johor Baru from June 1, integrating various labour-related services under one roof. 'Within just one month, these centres recorded about 10,000 visitors,' Sim said. He noted the government's whole-of-government approach to labour reform, with PERKESO playing a central role, had helped bring unemployment down to a 10-year low of 3.1%. 'Underemployment has also improved — from 37.4% in 2023 to 36% in the fourth quarter of last year, and further to 34.3% in the first quarter of this year,' he said. Malaysia's statutory minimum wage rose by 13% this year, while the national median monthly wage increased by 11%, crossing the RM3,000 mark for the first time. 'These are significant achievements, but we are aware that the journey towards labour market reform must not only continue, but accelerate,' Sim added.
Daily Express
5 days ago
- Business
- Daily Express
Sedafiat embedding sustainability in supply chain
Published on: Tuesday, July 08, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jul 08, 2025 Text Size: Ag Buhtamam emphasised that the initiative reflects Sedafiat's alignment with Malaysia's ambition for a low-carbon economy. Kota Kinabalu: Sedafiat Sdn Bhd has launched a Green Procurement initiative aimed at embedding sustainable practices across its supply chain in support of national and global ESG goals. The announcement was made during the Sedafiat Business Partners Excellence & Sustainability: The Way Forward programme held here, recently. Chief Executive Officer Datuk Ag Buhtamam Ag Mahmun officiated the launch, describing the initiative as a strategic move to integrate environmental responsibility into procurement operations. 'Green procurement is not just about regulatory compliance. It's about creating long-term value for both the environment and the communities we serve,' he said. He emphasised that the initiative reflects Sedafiat's alignment with Malaysia's ambition for a low-carbon economy. 'We want our vendor ecosystem to grow with us in this transition to a Net Zero future,' he said. The initiative encourages vendors to adopt sustainable sourcing, use eco-friendly and recyclable materials, and meet green certification standards. It also promotes greater awareness around ESG audits, compliance reporting, and responsible contract delivery. 'This is about raising the bar, not only for how we procure, but for how we collaborate with suppliers who are aligned with sustainability values,' said Mohd Nasruddin Datuk Dr Mohd Yaakub, who spoke during a dedicated session on ESG and vendor evaluation. Organised by Sedafiat's Procurement, Vendor, Logistics and Inventory (PVLI) Department, the programme featured presentations by internal leaders and representatives from external agencies. Key sessions covered healthcare quality management, new requirements under DOSH, employer responsibilities under PERKESO, and recent amendments to the Sabah Labour Ordinance. Other presentations explored service performance, customer satisfaction, contractual obligations, and Sedafiat's roadmap towards Net Zero initiatives. Mohd Hafrez Razi Bin Ab Razak, who shared the company's sustainability strategy, stated that achieving Net Zero starts with daily decisions and procurement is where impact begins. Around 100 participants attended the event, including vendors, business partners and Sedafiat management representatives. Sedafiat reaffirmed its commitment to building transparent, performance-based vendor relationships guided by continuous improvement and shared sustainability goals. The company also reiterated its alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), identifying green procurement as a key pillar of future operations. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
The Star
7 days ago
- Health
- The Star
More younger workers falling ill
PERKESO flags rise in NCD-related health claims among those in their 30s PETALING JAYA: A growing number of younger workers have sought social security support as their livelihoods are significantly impacted by non-communicable diseases (NCDs), says Social Security Organisation (PERKESO) group chief executive officer Datuk Seri Dr Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed ( pic ). 'The average age of workers affected by NCDs is getting younger. 'The number of workers in their 30s requesting benefits has surged over the past decade – from 260 individuals in 2014 to 537 in 2024 – marking a 107% increase. 'A similar pattern is also seen in debilitating NCDs such as stroke, diabetes and heart diseases,' he told Sunday Star. He warned that the percentage of employees with NCDs will continue to rise if significant lifestyle changes do not occur among younger workers. 'Each year, around 230,000 employees become eligible for PERKESO's Health Screening Programme (HSP) as they turn 40. Of these, about 18% take the opportunity to get their health screened. 'The findings are alarming: A large percentage – 60% – were found to be overweight or obese during the health check-ups; 60% had hypercholesterolaemia; 19% were diabetic; and another 19% were hypertensive. 'A smaller but significant percentage – 3% – were found to have chronic kidney disease, a sequela of NCDs,' he said. He also noted that of the more than 40,000 new invalidity applications PERKESO receives every year – from workers claiming to be totally incapacitated – nearly half are due to NCD complications. 'Sadly, the proportion of applicants under the age of 50 is also increasing. Much can be said from the health morbidity data about older adults who are now suffering from the effects of lifestyle diseases,' he added. Dr Mohammed Azman said the poor health status of workers should serve as a warning that immediate action must be taken to promote healthier lifestyles among the population. He called on the government, private sector and civil society to play a role in promoting a way of life that supports health, safety and well-being. Higher education institutions should also foster healthy lifestyles that can be adopted by students, who will make up the future workforce, he said. Dr Mohammed Azman revealed that plans are in motion to offer a broader health screening programme to enable the detection of more conditions. 'The new screening programme, which will be part of PERKESO's primary care approach, will be introduced in batches later this year,' he said. He said PERKESO has included younger workers aged 18 and above in general screenings conducted during its field campaigns. 'The HSP is not static as it was when first introduced a decade ago. 'PERKESO recently enhanced the HSP as part of the Belanjawan Madani initiatives, adding more tests, including cancer screenings. This led to a nearly five-fold increase in uptake within the year. 'Presently, the HSP includes a specific test to detect diabetes and has expanded to incorporate niche screenings such as for the human papillomavirus (HPV),' he said. Malaysian Employers Federation president Datuk Dr Syed Hussain Syed Husman said a future-ready workforce should be skilled, as well as physically, mentally and socially resilient. 'Poor health among graduates will eventually translate into lower productivity, higher medical costs and increased absenteeism. 'Health promotion should be integrated into national employability and workforce development strategies,' he said.
The Star
30-06-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Under-18 national squad eye a place in Asian Cup semis
MOU signing between McDonalds and PERKESO at Mutiara Damansara. — FAIHAN GHANI/The Star KUALA LUMPUR: The newly formed Under-18 national hockey team have been given a semi-final target in the Under-18 Asian Cup from July 3-13 at Dazhou National Hockey Training Centre in China. The squad comprising young talents from schools across the country, were announced by the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) yesterday. "Our target in China is to reach the semi-finals," said MHC president Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal. The China-bound squad will be led by head coach Sufian Mohamad. "The end goal is to assemble a team to compete at the Junior World Cup in India from Nov 29-Dec 10," added Subahan.
