By Amar Shah Mohsen
SHAH ALAM, Nov 23 – The Selangor government will not block any attempts by those from outside the state to seek high-paying jobs here, said state executive councillor for investment Ng Sze Han.
He said being the country’s main economic driver, Selangor should be compassionate and generous in welcoming people from all across the country to seek employment opportunities here.
“We can’t hinder people from other states from coming to Selangor. Our doors are always open, it doesn’t matter where you are from,” he said in the State Legislative Assembly today.
“If you feel Selangor can offer better job opportunities and a more comfortable place to live, then the state government welcomes all Malaysians to migrate to Selangor.”
Ng was responding to a question from Kota Damansara assemblyman Muhammad Izuan Ahmad Kasim on what measures will be taken by the state government to ensure that Selangorians are prioritised for job opportunities here.
Earlier, Ng said the state administration’s pledge to offer 100,000 high-paying jobs in the next five years, as per its election manifesto, is in view of the current issue of jobs mismatch and low salaries among fresh graduates.
He said this was also why the state established the Selangor Jobs and Skills Council, which will focus on offering opportunities in several identified sectors and industries.
To a separate question by Opposition leader Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali on poor growth in the manufacturing and service sectors, Ng said this is not exclusive to Selangor, noting that other states and countries in the region are facing similar challenges.
“I am confident next year, the country and state’s economy will improve, in line with the projected improvement globally.”
In his supplementary question, Azmin had asked if the state will be capable of delivering its promise of offering 100,000 high-paying jobs considering two of the most critical sectors that determine the growth of an economy – manufacturing and service – are not performing as well this year.
“Manufacturing only recorded a growth of 1.4 per cent, while the service sector at 5.8 per cent. If growth for these sectors remains slow, will we be able to fulfil our goal of offering high-paying jobs?” he asked.
