by SHAFIQQUL ALIFF / Pic by TMR FILE PIX

THE Public Listed Company Transformation Programme launched on March 2 is expected to improve the performance of public listed companies (PLCs) in the country, in line with the current global economy, demand and investment. 

Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz (picture) said there are five focus areas to increase the attractiveness of companies where they would always be able to stand out based on good performance and grow as a sustainable, socially responsible and ethical organisations. 

“Companies that are constantly being improved and empowered digitally can support efforts to build and develop Malaysia’s socio-economy,” he said in the 87th People’s Financial Report. 

Tengku Zafrul said at the same time, through the Social Security Organisation, the government would continue its recruitment efforts through the Guaranteed Employment Incentive initiative with RM2 billion allocated for 2022. 

He stated the initiative had successfully placed 36,884 workers as of Feb 25. It is expected to create 300,000 more new jobs to reduce unemployment among Malaysians. 

Earlier, the government allocated RM4.8 billion for the JaminKerja initiative to create 600,000 job opportunities throughout 2022, including Employment Incentives, Training and Short-Term Placement or MySTEP, as well as the Training and Skills Upgrading Programme or Upskill Malaysia. 

The initiative also benefits disabled individuals where employers who accept prospective employees from that group will be given incentives from the government. 

Tengku Zafrul added that the Finance Ministry (MoF) had also set up the MySTEP portal last year under Budget 2022 to improve the application and recruitment process on behalf of the public sector and government-linked companies (GLCs). 

He added that a total of 80,000 contract job opportunities covering 50,000 jobs in the public sector and 30,000 jobs in GLCs and strategic partners are offered from January 2022 through MySTEP. 

“As of Feb 25, a total of 1,827 participants had successfully found jobs. Out of this number, 1,242 were placed in the public sector while 585 had been successfully placed in GLCs and their strategic partners. 

“Those who are interested in working in the public sector or GLCs only need to apply and upload their resumes through the portal,” he explained. 

Tengku Zafrul added that the GLC Open Day 2022 on March 11 to 13 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre is expected to offer many job opportunities and scholarships to Malaysians by several GLCs and government-linked investment companies (GLICs). 

Themed “Aspirasi Masyarakat Inspirasi Negara”, the open day will focus on the people, business, economy, public health and the bumiputera agenda. 

“Over the past year, the MoF has embarked on efforts to coordinate the functions of GLICs and GLCs to ensure that they will continue to be able to accelerate Malaysia’s post-pandemic socio-economic recovery and growth,” he said.