M'sia must reduce dependence on foreign workers: King

"We are very concerned with the large number of foreign workers in this
country," the country’s ceremonial leader told the opening of a new session
in parliament.
<p>&quot;Measures have to be taken to lessen our dependency on them in various
sectors. We must train Malaysians to be self-reliant,&quot; the King said.</p>
<p>A crackdown on illegal immigrants which began this month has left industries
with crippling labour shortages. About 200,000 workers are reportedly needed
in the manufacturing sector, 150,000 in construction, 50,000 in plantations
and 20,000 in the services sector.</p>
<p>The labour crunch follows the departure during a three-month amnesty programme
which ended on March 1 of nearly 400,000 illegal immigrants, mostly from Indonesia
but also from the Philippines, Burma, Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka.</p>
<p>The country’s dependence on foreign workers could be reduced by &quot;enhancing
automation in work processes and attracting locals to work in sectors which
have been dominated all this while by foreign workers,&quot; the King said.</p>
<p>&quot;Measures to overcome the problems of illegal immigrants will without
doubt be more effective if enforcement is undertaken by the various agencies
in a more coordinated manner,&quot; he added.</p>
<p><b>Fight againts graft</b></p>
<p>The King also pledged that Malaysia would continue an anti-corruption drive
launched by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi when he took over from former
premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad in October 2003.</p>
<p>Whilst Malaysia has &quot;accomplished numerous successes in combating corruption,
we must not be contented with what we have accomplished,&quot; he said.</p>
<p>&quot;The punitive approach of enforcement and due punishment imposed on those
found guilty of corruption continues to be implemented,&quot; he said. – AFP