PETALING JAYA: The influx of foreign workers into Malaysia began in the 1980s as the country embarked on rapid industrialisation. Fast forward three decades later and Malaysia now has nearly 2.2 million foreigners in its workforce, as compared to slightly over 800,000 foreign workers at the beginning of the 21st Century.
As the country continues to find a way out of its foreign worker dilemma, a top Malaysian corporate leader has urged the government to emulate Singapore’s measures to foster automation and hire fewer migrant workers.