TANJUNG MALIM – The Statistics Department (DOSM) recorded 2.4 million foreigners working in various sectors in Malaysia up to June this year.
Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said 1.9 million were recorded last year and 2.4 million in 2020.
“We are not denying that the country still needs foreign workers in various sectors such as construction, plantation, manufacturing and domestic. We still need about 15% of the total labour force and we are approaching this figure.
“However, we also need to attract locals to work in the plantation or construction industry by providing better facilities so as to reduce the country’s dependence on foreign labour.”
Mustapa said this to reporters after opening the Statistics Carnival 2022 in conjunction with the National Statistics Day 2022 and the Malaysia Statistical Training Institute’s tenth-anniversary celebration, here, today.
Also present was chief statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin.
Mustapa also said that DOSM released over 500 types of statistics annually to help the country manage its economic and socio-economic sectors at all levels.
“The statistics are used by various parties, such as government departments and agencies, Bank Negara Malaysia, investors and various non-governmental organisations in drawing up their plans,” he added.
The National Statistics Day celebration, which is held for the sixth time, he said, was aimed at raising public awareness of the importance of statistics as a benchmark for a better life.
Various programmes have been lined up for the three-day carnival starting today, including exhibitions and sales, and the Islamic Affairs Premier Forum, which Sultan Nazrin Shah of Perak has consented to attend tonight. – Bernama, October 20, 2022
