MPNP, UMP organise Discourse on Harmony Workers, Sustainable Economy

KUANTAN, 6 July 2023 - The Pahang State Employees Council (MPNP) in collaboration with Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) successfully attracted more than 100 entries consisting of departments, agencies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), higher education institutions (IPTs) and industry players in Pahang Darul Makmur in organising the Discourse of Harmony Workers, Sustainable Economy programme.

The programme, held at Swiss-Belhotel, Kuantan, lined up panel members consisting of Pahang State Investment and Business Officer, Dato’ Kamarul ’Arifin Ahmad@Abd Rahman, Group Chief Executive Officer of Tanah Makmur Berhad, Dato’ Shahrul Nizam Abdul Aziz, Pahang SOCSO Director, Hisham Abdul Rahman and Dean of the Faculty of Industrial Management, Dr. Mohd Hanafiah Ahmad.

The Director of the Centre for International Relations, Associate Professor Dr. Mohd Azmir acted as moderator.
According to Dr.  Mohd Hanafiah, the organisation of this programme is one of the mediums for the Pahang State Government in obtaining input and identifying initiatives that can be implemented to address labour-related issues in state industrial parks.

“Among the discussions included job mismatches, shortage of skilled workers, workforce readiness in facing the challenges of the industrial revolution 4.0 and other labour issues in Pahang.

“This matter aligns with the wishes of the state government in an effort to create a conducive investment ecosystem and follow the development of upstream and downstream industries in Pahang,” he said.

To support the development of this MPNP Strategic Plan, two sessions with agencies, companies, educational institutions and training providers were successfully held to obtain primary data and information in the field by the parties involved.

A focus group discussion was also held on 11 May 2023 with educational agencies and institutions, while roundtable discussions were successfully held on 28-30 May 2023 with the industry.

Furthermore, this discourse programme aimed to create a bilateral dialogue session between the panel and stakeholders and strengthen the Development of the MPNP Blueprint and Strategic Plan.

In the meantime, MPNP will also review policies related to setting strategic direction, developing skills and talents, empowering human capital and creating and strengthening collaboration between the state government and stakeholders in line with the wishes of Pahang state in creating a conducive environment for job seekers.

The programme also identified several workforce-related issues in Pahang such as job mismatches, shortage of skilled labour, tendency towards gig economy, communication problems among graduates and other matters that could help with labour issues in the state.

By: Dr. Muhammad Ashraf Fauri@Fauzi, Faculty of Industrial Management
Translation by: Dr.  Rozaimi  Abu  Samah, Faculty   of Chemical and Process Engineering Technology