Malaysia is stepping up efforts to create more high-value jobs in advanced industries with the launch of the BAKAT MADANI initiative, a national program aimed at strengthening talent pipelines in semiconductors, renewable energy, the digital economy and advanced manufacturing.
The country’s Prime Minister and Finance Minister Anwar Ibrahim has on Tuesday unveiled the initiative, which brings together government-linked investment companies (GLICs), government-linked companies (GLCs) and Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas) to expand skills training and employment opportunities.
The initiative focuses on three key areas: strengthening employability and job placement within the GLIC, GLC and Petronas ecosystem; expanding cross-sector employment opportunities in strategic industries; and empowering Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions through close collaboration with industry to produce a workforce aligned with future economic needs.
To encourage broader industry participation in providing training and quality job opportunities, the government will introduce special tax deductions for companies implementing training programs under the BAKAT MADANI initiative.
The new incentive enhances existing employability tax incentives, with expanded coverage to TVET graduates and an improved minimum allowance rate to ensure fair and competitive compensation for trainees.
“Talent exists across every corner of the country. Our responsibility is to build bridges that connect that talent with available opportunities, and that is the core objective of BAKAT MADANI,
“When we invest in people, we strengthen the foundation of the economy. Uplifting livelihoods and enhancing economic potential are mutually reinforcing cycles,” said Senator Amir Hamzah Azizan, Minister of Finance II.
Various talent development programs under GLICs, GLCs and PETRONAS are also being enhanced through this initiative.
For example, Petronas, together with the Malaysia Petroleum Resources Corporation (MPRC) and the Malaysian Oil, Gas & Energy Services Council (MOGSC), has transformed its VISTA program into Vista i-Plus, an integrated TVET training model involving institutions such as Institut Kemahiran MARA (IKM), Institut Kemahiran Belia Negara (IKBN), Advanced Technology Training Centre (ADTEC) and Akademi Binaan Malaysia (ABM).
Within the GLIC and GLC ecosystem, Khazanah Nasional Berhad is collaborating with 23 higher education institutions, including Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM) and Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), to prepare young talent for the workforce through industrial training, technical certification and exposure to industry requirements.
According to the statement, BAKAT MADANI serves as a bridge between Malaysia’s talent and future economic opportunities, ensuring graduates, TVET youth and vulnerable groups have access to training, certification and quality employment in high-value sectors.
The Ministry of Finance also called on more government-linked companies, industry players and training institutions to participate in BAKAT MADANI as part of a shared national commitment to developing Malaysia’s talent pool.
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