PONTIAN: The process of recruiting foreign labour should be expedited to address the lack of manpower in the country, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Jeck Seng.
The Deputy Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister said delays in the recruitment process had seriously affected industries.
“The problem has affected productivity in all industries, including the palm oil industry.
“The government has now accepted applications for the recruitment of foreign workers and this is a positive development.
“However, we hope the process can be sped up to avoid more losses to the industries involved,” he told reporters after a dialogue with locals in Pekan Nanas on the development of a solid waste transit station at Pusat Pendidikan Falsafah Kung Meng Johor yesterday.
Wee hopes countries sending foreign labour to Malaysia will help expedite the recruitment process.
“This is very important for all industries in Malaysia that are facing a huge lack of manpower,” he added.
Wee, who is also Tanjung Piai MP, along with officers from several government agencies, held a public briefing on the development of the solid waste transit station.
“The transit station would be built next to the existing landfill in Pekan Nanas and we want the public to be well informed on the project.
“This also allows them to voice out their opinions and suggestions on the project that is expected to be completed next year,” he said.
He said many living around the area had been complaining about the strong stench from the existing landfill.
“They are worried that the project would result in worse smell pollution.
“The agencies involved in the project have assured us that it would instead reduce the stench due to the high technology it uses,” he added.