1. Alhamdulillah, syukur ke hadrat Allah SWT kerana dengan izin-Nya kita dapat bertemu pada pagi ini sempena Majlis Pelancaran Rasmi Program Graduan Pasaran Modal.
2. Saya ingin ucapkan terima kasih kepada SC, Kementerian Pengajian Tinggi, universiti dan syarikat-syarikat yang terlibat bersama menganjurkan program ini. Sebagai bekas pemimpin pelajar, saya teruja melihat usaha ini yang akan menjadi asas penting kepada penyediaan pekerja mahir untuk menampung keperluan ekonomi untuk terus berkembang maju dan mampan.
KEPENTINGAN PEMBANGUNAN MODAL INSAN
3. Kita hakitatnya berdepan dengan cabaran kekurangan modal insan yang perlu diatasi segera:
- Kajian global baru-baru ini oleh Korn Ferry mendapati bahawa menjelang tahun 2030, lebih 85 juta orang manusia kekurangan modal insan. Menjelang 2030, kekurangan modal insan boleh menyebabkan potensi impak ekonomi sekitar 8.5 trilion USD.
- Lebih 1.86 juta rakyat Malaysia kini menetap di luar negara iaitu 1.13 juta daripadanya di Singapura dan selebihnya menetap di Bangladesh, Australia, United Kingdom, Amerika Syarikat dan Brunei.
- Kajian Bank Dunia 2020 pula mendapati sekurang- kurangnya 14% penduduk Malaysia dijangka berumur 65 tahun ke atas menjelang 2044 dan melebihi 20% menjelang 2056, sekali gus Malaysia dikategori sebagai negara “super-tua”. Ini bermakna, Malaysia dijangka berubah daripada negara menua kepada negara tua hanya dalam tempoh kurang 25 tahun.
4. Maka, mengapa pertumbuhan bakat begitu penting untuk masa depan ekonomi negara? Jawapannya mudah. Hanya dengan pasaran modal yang kukuh, akan menjadi ramuan penting yang membenih masa depan pertumbuhan dan pembangunan negara.
5. Pun begitu, pasaran modal yang kukuh dan mampan memerlukan tenaga kerja yang berkemahiran tinggi dan berpengetahuan luas. Kita perlu ketokohan tempatan yang berupaya memahami kerumitan pasaran, menjangka trend dan
perubahan, serta menyediakan penyelesaian inovatif pada setiap rintangan pasaran termasuk Kewangan Islam.
6. Akhirnya, inilah yang mustahak sebagai ikhtiar untuk kita meningkatkan pendapatan rakyat ke tahap lebih bermakna. Secara tidak langsung, maka kehidupan rakyat Malaysia akan lebih berkualiti dan berpendapatan tinggi – Insya Allah.
7. Usaha seumpama ini juga dapat membantu menangani masalah mismatch antara kemahiran graduan dengan keperluan yang dikehendaki oleh industri. Masalah ini telah sekian lama dijadikan alasan kepada wujudnya pengangguran graduan (graduate unemployment).
8. Saya difahamkan, 9,000 mahasiswa akan meraih manfaat pendedahan kepada peluang pekerjaan dalam industri pasaran modal dengan 600 orang akan terjamin mendapat pekerjaan dalam masa tiga tahun.
9. Saya berharap program seumpama ini turut membantu pelajar-pelajar daripada keluarga susah supaya mereka tidak tertinggal meraih manfaat peluang pekerjaan yang lebih baik. Ini cukup penting dan selaras dengan hasrat Malaysia MADANI.
10. Usaha ini juga tidak harus terhenti di sini sahaja. Sukacita diumumkan kerjasama antara Kerajaan, badan pengawal selia dan industri dalam program peningkatan bakat seumpama ini akan diperluas dalam sektor termasuk minyak & gas, perbankan dan IT. Jika program graduan pasaran modal dapat memanfaat 9,000 anak muda, Kerajaan komited untuk melaksanakan peluasan kepada sektor-sektor lain untuk membantu puluhan ribu lagi bakat tempatan baharu. Bagi program sebegini, mahasiswa dan pelajar yang mengikuti latihan industri (internship) akan dipastikan mendapat bayaran elaun yang minimum.
Saudara-saudari,
11. Kekurangan bakat kini menjadi tantangan global yang tidak terhad kepada satu industri atau lokasi geografi. Ia beri kesan besar kepada semua perniagaan tak kira pengusaha kecil mahupun syarikat multinasional. Lebih-lebih lagi berlaku kekurangan ketara tenaga mahir dalam bidang baru muncul seperti kecerdasan buatan, pembelajaran mesin, dan sains data.
12. Dengan dunia tanpa sempadan yang semakin tangkas ke hadapan, semua industri perlu berubah dengan pesat; beradaptasi dengan teknologi. Maka sebab itu, kita tidak boleh terkebelakang. Malaysia juga perlu bingkas bertindak supaya punyai bakat tempatan yang menguasai teknologi dan digitalisasi.
13. Dalam melahirkan dan mengenal pasti bakat-bakat muda tempatan juga, adalah amat penting untuk mereka didedahkan dengan program pendidikan, latihan dan kemahiran yang intensif dan praktikal. Ini lebih-lebih lagi suasana ekonomi dunia yang amat tidak menentu. Kita perlu bersiap siaga punyai ketokohan tempatan yang mampu membenteng negara mendepani Volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity (VUCA) economy.
MEMACU PERTUMBUHAN EKONOMI
14. Sungguhpun, Malaysia punyai ekonomi yang rancak dan sarat dengan sejarah pertumbuhan dan pembangunan, tetapi masih banyak ruang penambahbaikan diperlukan.
15. Trade and investment play pivotal roles in driving economic growth and development. They bring forth new capital, technology, and skills, thereby enhancing productivity and competitiveness.
16. In recent years, Malaysia has experienced a robust resurgence in foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows. Notably, in 2022, Malaysia attracted a net FDI of RM74.6 billion, marking a remarkable 48% increase from the previous year. Moreover, the first quarter (1Q) of 2023 has witnessed approved investments amounting to RM71.4 billion, showcasing a significant 60% surge compared to the corresponding period last year. This is underpinned by strong investment interest from, among others, Amazon Web Services, Tesla EV, Geely / Proton Automotive City in Tanjung Malim and Ronsheng Petrochemicals in Pengerang. These impressive figures signify the approval of over 1,200 projects, poised to generate nearly 24,000 fresh employment opportunities.
17. Moreover, during the Trade and Investment Missions we have done so far this year, we have secured investment commitments of:
- RM13 billion from Singapore;
- RM24 billion from Republic of Korea;
- RM170 billion from People’s Repubic of China; and
- RM23 billion from Japan
18. It is important to highlight that Malaysia continues to foster an enabling investment environment that appeals to both foreign and domestic investors. FDI alone contributed approximately RM37.5 billion, approximately 50:50 balance of DDI and FDI.
19. The sustained rise in both FDI and domestic direct investments (DDI) is a testament to the restored confidence of foreign and domestic investors in Malaysia's economic progress and potential. This notable performance can be attributed to various factors, including:
- The country's solid economic fundamentals, characterized by low inflation and a stable political landscape;
- The growing global demand for Malaysian products and services; and
- The government's unwavering commitment to developing emerging industries, such as the digital economy and green technology.
20. The future of investments in Malaysia appears exceedingly promising. The nation presents abundant opportunities for both foreign and domestic investors, and the government remains steadfast in fortifying the investment climate. We are actively working towards improving the ease of conducting business, attracting high-value investments, and cultivating a highly competitive workforce. These efforts are aligned with the objectives of the forthcoming New Investment Policy (NIP) and will be elaborated further in the upcoming New Industrial Master Plan (NIMP2030) to be launched in August 2023.
21. The Government will continue to prioritize the enhancement of DDI, the attraction of FDI, and the promotion of sustainable investment practices. I am confident that Malaysia will continue to draw substantial FDI and DDI inflows in the years ahead. This, in turn, will stimulate economic growth and development while generating employment opportunities for the people of Malaysia.
22. Another key driver of our economic growth is the capital market. It provides businesses with access to financing, encourages savings and investment, and drives economic growth. However, the global economic uncertainty has impacted the ASEAN regional stock market, including Bursa Malaysia.
23. To address this, the Ministry of Finance has been working with the SC, with feedback from Bursa Malaysia and the capital market industry, to identify both short-term and medium-term measures across 3 pillars to enhance the Capital Market to drive greater economic growth, inclusion and sustainability. These are:
- One, creating market vibrancy with greater participation opportunities for the rakyat;
- Two, attracting larger pool of investors to support financing for SMEs and New Economy ; and
- Three, implementing market and structural reforms to enhance Malaysia’s competitiveness to strengthen market confidence.
24. First, in the immediate term, as the capital market looks to widen affordable investment choices for the rakyat, coupled with the intent to deepen investor interest in our market, I am pleased to announce that the stamp duty rate for shares traded on Bursa Malaysia Securities will be reduced from the current 0.15% to 0.10% of contract value, subject to a maximum cap of RM1,000 per contract. This will take effect in July.
25. This change will directly reduce the cost of securities transactions and make the Malaysian stock market more competitive. I am confident that this step will stimulate the market and enhance its attractiveness. The increase in market liquidity will attract more domestic and foreign funds into the Malaysian stock market, thereby encouraging SMEs to pursue initial public offerings (IPOs) and facilitating public listed companies in raising funds to expand their businesses and create more job opportunities.
26. Second, under pillar 2, which aims to attract larger pool of investors to support financing for SMEs and New Economy, the MOF and SC will look at policies to achieve the following:
- to facilitate and attract the setting up of family offices in Malaysia;
- to promote corporate venturing to drive greater domestic direct investment (DDI) through more facilitative tax and incentive policies. For example, enabling tax losses from corporate venturing to be utilised by the parent company to set-off other sustainable investments in the group; and
- to widen the definition of sophisticated investors including angel investors.
27. Finally, I recognize that the longer term market and structural reforms will be required for Malaysia’s capital market and economic transformation. However, as a start, in order to encourage more companies to be listed on Bursa Malaysia, the SC and Bursa Malaysia will implement reforms this year to make it easier and faster to list on Bursa Malaysia by expediting the IPO process and reducing time-to-market to ensure Malaysia’s competitiveness and attractiveness.
28. Any reform requires discipline and patience. It also requires confidence and courage to do new things and make difficult decisions for the benefit of the people and the nation.
29. Despite the multiple challenges inherited by the Government, early economic indicators show that the Government’s fiscal policies and Belanjawan 2023 measures are bearing fruit such as Malaysia’s strong growth of 5.6% in Q1 2023 and reduced unemployment rate of 3.5%. The affirmation of credit rating by Fitch and Moody’s earlier this year also reflect their confidence in the Government’s determination to sustain economic growth momentum.
30. This Government will do all that is needed to drive inclusive and sustainable growth, an open economy that respects free financial flow. To further promote domestic growth, the Cabinet will accelerate the implementation of Government projects and facilitate approvals for businesses such as applications for skilled expatriates.
PENUTUP
Saudara-saudari,
31. Program Graduan Pasaran Modal selari dengan aspirasi MADANI. Dengan menyediakan peluang mengembangkan kemahiran dan pengetahuan dalam industri pasaran modal kepada graduan muda, program ini berupaya membina asas yang kukuh untuk pertumbuhan ekonomi masa depan Malaysia.
32. Oleh itu, saya dengan sukacitanya mengumumkan pelancaran nama baharu CMGP yang akan dikenali sebagai "InvestED” (sebutan: invested).
33. InvestED akan berperanan sebagai inisiatif unik yang menyatukan sektor kerajaan dan swasta untuk mewujudkan platfrom bagi kepada kedua-dua pihak graduan dan majikan.
34. Saya menyeru kepada semua graduan yang berminat untuk meneruskan kerjaya dalam pasaran modal untuk memanfaatkan peluang ini. Saudari dan saudari bukan sahaja akan mendapat pengetahuan dan kemahiran yang berharga tetapi juga akan menyumbang kepada pertumbuhan dan pembangunan negara kita.
35. Sekian, Wabillahitaufik Walhidayah Wssalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh. Terima kasih.
