MALAYSIA MUST FOCUS ON BUILDING ECONOMIC RESILIENCE THROUGH YOUTH EXPERTISE – ANWAR

KUALA LUMPUR, May 6 (Bernama) -- Malaysia must build domestic economic resilience by enhancing knowledge and expertise among youths to better face global challenges, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said. 

He said this approach is crucial to enable the nation to rely on its capabilities, ensuring greater stability and security amid global economic uncertainties.

“We must first strengthen from within... our domestic economic resilience. Although we use foreign technologies, we must seek new methods, and this depends on our young people.

“With clear policies, it means we rely more on our abilities, to revitalise local businesses, management and expertise,” he said at the launch of the employment opportunities and presentation of PLKI-ECRL’s offer letters ceremony for the ECRL operation and maintenance (O&M) phase here today.

Anwar urged young Malaysians given opportunities to study and train abroad to remain disciplined and apply the knowledge and skills they acquire to become a better generation.

Anwar highlighted Malaysia's growing prominence in the global semiconductor industry and credited local expertise as a key factor driving foreign investment into the country.

Citing the semiconductor sector as a model of how domestic capabilities can attract international players, Anwar shared that Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (AMD) — one of the world’s largest semiconductor companies — has expressed its intention to establish advanced packaging and design operations in Penang and Cyberjaya.

“Malaysia is not falling behind in the semiconductor space, though much of our capability is currently focused on the back-end manufacturing process,” Anwar said.

“(In my meeting with the company), I immediately welcomed their interest as this means our young talents will be trained and empowered in fields such as semiconductor technology, artificial intelligence and packaging advanced design, placing us at the front end of the industry,” he said. 

The prime minister said a similar approach should also be adopted by the country's energy industry, such as solar energy, following the United States’ recent imposition of tariffs on China. 

“The United States has imposed high tariffs on any solar production that is based in China or operated by Chinese companies.

“So, are we just going to give up without taking advantage of this situation? We must be prepared to take action by using locally produced solar panels on our buildings, whether they are government or private, schools or hospitals,” he said.

At the event, Anwar also presented offer letters to several trainees who will undergo a one-year intensive training programme in Liuzhou, China, under the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) Industrial Skills Training Programme (PLKI).

The first group, consisting of 102 individuals, is scheduled to depart for China in stages from May 15. 

-- BERNAMA