Local firms must accelerate automation, says minister

Investment, trade and industry minister Johari Ghani has urged local companies of all sizes to hasten the adoption of automation in their operations and production processes. As the future supply of foreign workers is expected to decline, Ghani argued that companies must act swiftly to replace the workforce with automated systems.

Addressing the Women, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Economy Forum, Ghani emphasized that foreign workers were initially brought in to handle dirty, dangerous, and difficult tasks, but not to substitute local workers. He suggested that employers reconsider their stance if the offered wages do not reflect the economic value of the job. According to Ghani, Malaysians are willing to work abroad because of the economic benefits, a sentiment that should encourage local firms to embrace automation.