{
  "id": 19587358,
  "title": "Lonjakan pelaburan Melaka buka peluang gaji lebih tinggi",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/12/lonjakan-pelaburan-melaka-buka-peluang-gaji-lebih-tinggi",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-12T01:48:45.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/bahasa/tempatan/2026/11/12/lonjakan-pelaburan-melaka-buka-peluang-gaji-lebih-tinggi"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Melaka recorded an unprecedented RM396 million in investments in the first half of 2026, nearly doubling the RM184.4 million recorded in the same period last year. While this surge in investments opens up higher-paying job opportunities, equipping local workforce with relevant skills is crucial for them to benefit from the economic growth. A total of RM28.96 billion in investments attracted 752 projects between 2023 and 2025, potentially creating 25,100 jobs. By 2025, investments reached RM14.69 billion, increasing by 77.7% from RM8.26 billion in 2024 and marking the highest level in 22 years. Out of this, RM8.43 billion is foreign investment and RM6.26 billion is domestic, involving 312 projects that are expected to create 4,612 jobs. Economic expert Lai Wei Sieng attributes this success to the increased confidence of investors in the national administration, backed by Melaka's strategic location, robust industrial base, and accessibility to the regional market. He predicts Melaka to shift towards high-value manufacturing and service sectors, particularly semiconductors, automotive components, and green technology. Despite a decline in manufacturing investments from RM4.44 billion in 2024 to RM2 billion in 2025, the sector's investment value surged more than twice to RM396 million in the first half of 2026 compared to RM184.4 million in the same period last year. Although this decline does not necessarily indicate weakening appeal of Melaka, Lai notes that large-scale project approvals often occur at different times. Major investments include Texas Instruments' manufacturing and testing plant in Texas to be opened in November 2025 with a potential RM5 billion investment and the ability to provide up to 500 local jobs upon full operation. For 33-year-old Nazrul Johari, a former electrical engineer in Negeri Sembilan who is now a Texas Instruments employee, this job opportunity allows him to earn better wages and improve his family's financial situation. \"This job enables me to support my family financially, including my extended and close relatives,\" he said, adding that other Melaka residents also have the opportunity to benefit from the increased job opportunities. Another project is the RM200 million body painting facility by EP Manufacturing in Alor Gajah, expected to start operations in 2027 and provide over 200 jobs in the automation assembly process. Training programs for high-value industries need to be developed to attract the required workforce. The federal government allocated RM5.6 million in 2026 for electric vehicle (EV) training equipment at the Advanced Technology Training Centre (ADTEC) in Melaka, part of the RM7 million project. An additional RM5.6 million is allocated to Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Melaka (UTeM) for equipment in advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence (AI), and nanotechnology under the RM41 million project. The 2027 budget also earmarks Melaka Centre of Excellence offering high-tech technical and vocational education and training to provide young locals with skilled and well-paying jobs. Nationally, the government is allocating RM8 billion for TVET in 2027, including RM3 billion from HRD Corp to provide three million skill training opportunities. At TVETMARA Jasin, Deputy Director of Academic and Vocational Training Kamarul Ariffin Mahumdin says students are trained in automotive, electrical, and mechanical fields, along with industrial training with companies like Hino, Komatsu, and YTL. Over 90% of students are absorbed by the companies where they undergo industrial training, demonstrating effective cooperation between employers to ensure a continuous pipeline of skilled workers. Lai emphasizes that such cooperation is vital to ensure the training program meets the technical, digital, and professional skills required in the evolving industry. However, if skill development does not keep pace with investment growth, local workers may only receive low-skilled and low-paying jobs, he warns. He also highlights the New Industrial Masterplan 2030 (NIMP 2030) and the New Incentive Framework (NIF) of the federal government aimed at attracting high-value investments, promoting better-paying jobs, technology development, and local supply chain strengthening. Average wages in Melaka are gradually improving, rising from RM2,528 in 2024 to RM2,773 in 2025, but still lag behind the national average of RM2,940. Lai notes that attracting high-value industries requires upgrading the skills and productivity of workers through reskilling and increasing productivity. Employers should also provide clear career development pathways to help young workers secure higher-paying jobs. \"This is crucial to prevent young Melaka residents from migrating to other states for better jobs and wages,\" he said.",
  "summary": "Pakar ekonomi Lai Wei Sieng berkata latihan memenuhi keperluan industri penting demi pastikan pekerja tempatan dapat manfaat pertumbuhan pelaburan di Melaka.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}