SEREMBAN, 29 June – A total of 25,000 people are set to benefit from the newly launched Bakat MADANI initiative, an effort aimed at boosting national talent development through improved skills, quality job creation, and enhanced social mobility.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who officiated the launch today, explained that the initiative is a national endeavor involving government-linked investment companies (GLICs), government-linked companies (GLCs), and Petronas.
“The programme provides exposure to about 25,000 individuals. Young people should not forget to thank the corporate bodies that have helped ensure its proper implementation. If they do not manage it properly, the programme cannot be carried out as the financing is provided by them, not by me,” he said during the event, which was also attended by Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun, Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, and other government and corporate leaders.
Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan outlined that the initiative focuses on three main pillars: strengthening employability within the GLIC, GLC, and Petronas ecosystem; expanding job placement opportunities across strategic sectors; and empowering Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions.
“Our task is to connect talent with the opportunities that exist, and that is the primary goal of Bakat MADANI. Investing in human development also strengthens the nation’s economic base,” he said, noting that improving living standards and economic growth reinforce each other in a virtuous cycle.
Priority under the initiative will be given to high-value sectors with significant growth potential, including semiconductors, renewable energy, the digital economy, and advanced manufacturing. To support this, the government plans to introduce special tax incentives for firms running training programs under Bakat MADANI, encouraging greater industry involvement in skills development.
“The new incentive is an improvement on existing employability measures, with expanded coverage to TVET graduates and a higher minimum allowance to ensure trainees receive fair and competitive compensation,” Amir Hamzah added.
Several key talent development programs are being enhanced under this umbrella. Petronas, in partnership with the Malaysian Petroleum Resources Corporation (MPRC) and the Malaysian Oil, Gas & Energy Services Council (MOGSC), is transforming the VISTA program into “Vista i-Plus,” creating an integrated TVET training model involving institutions like MARA Skills Institutes (IKM), National Youth Skills Institutes (IKBN), Advanced Technology Training Centres (ADTEC), and the Malaysian Construction Academy (ABM).
Concurrently, within the GLIC and GLC ecosystem, Khazanah Nasional Berhad is collaborating with 23 higher education institutions—including Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM), and Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS)—to prepare young talent for the workforce through industrial training, technical certification, and direct exposure to industry requirements.
-NMT
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