KEPALA BATAS, June 20 — Government-linked entities and private companies must ensure their development projects create opportunities for middle- and lower-income communities, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said.
He said the approach is crucial to ensuring rapid development and increased investment do not widen the divide between different groups in society.
“For every approval we give, be it to Khazanah (Nasional Bhd), PNB (Permodalan Nasional Bhd), the EPF (Employees Provident Fund) or private companies, there must also be opportunities for those in the middle- and lower-income groups.
“Otherwise, we will see a growing divide in our country, while opportunities for lower-income groups become increasingly constrained,” he said at the groundbreaking ceremony for Setia Fontaines Industrial Park in Bandar Setia Fontaines here today.
Anwar said economic growth and increased investment should not be measured solely by encouraging statistics, but must deliver real benefits to people across all levels of society.
The prime minister said the government has consistently urged agencies to ensure development is planned more equitably and does not favour specific groups.
Meanwhile, he said Setia Fontaines Industrial Park supports efforts to ensure economic growth in Seberang Perai progresses in tandem with rapid development on Penang island and in the state’s south.
According to Anwar, the industrial park could provide quality jobs as Malaysia shifts from back-end manufacturing to more advanced technology sectors.
Anwar said collaboration among industry players, technical and vocational education and training institutions, and universities, including Universiti Sains Malaysia, must be enhanced to ensure local workers are equipped with the skills industry needs.
“We can provide professional employment opportunities, but it will be a problem if there are no suitably qualified people to meet those needs.
“Technology evolves within a year or two. That is why training must be closely aligned with educational institutions and universities,” Anwar added.
