KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 18 — The government is confident that the establishment of the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Commission will create a more systematic, focused, and industry-responsive ecosystem.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the establishment of the commission would also optimise resources, prevent wastage, and overlapping of functions among TVET-related ministries and institutions.
“During the tabling of the 13MP (13th Malaysia Plan), Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) stated the intention to strengthen the implementation of the National TVET Policy 2030 through the TVET Commission.
“(The TVET Commission) will serve as a dedicated entity to regulate TVET institutions, monitor the implementation of strategies and initiatives, and ensure coordination across all ministries,” he said when winding up the 13MP debate on behalf of the Rural and Regional Development Ministry in the Dewan Rakyat today.
Responding to an interjection from Lee Chuan How (Harapan-Ipoh Timur) on the involvement of Chinese youth in TVET, the rural and regional development minister agreed that promotion, information dissemination, and access to application processes and course offerings must be enhanced.
He also praised Lee, who is himself a TVET graduate, for his commitment to efforts in encouraging secondary school students and school leavers to pursue the field.
“The collaboration with him has also drawn Chinese students into TVET. He has become a catalyst in encouraging Chinese students to join TVET, which is a success for the TVET Council thanks to his efforts,’ he said.
On the proposed amendments to the Land Act (Group Settlement Areas) 1960, following issues related to Felda land inheritance, Zahid said the government began the review of the act in September 2022 via coordination meetings, technical committee meetings, workshops, and four engagement sessions with stakeholders in 2024.
He said that following this, five main priorities have been highlighted, covering contributions to national policy, protection of group settlement area (GSA) land ownership interests, strengthening governance; meeting the needs of the new generation of Felda settlers; and empowering the act to remain relevant.
“The government, through the Felda Regulatory Division of the Prime Minister’s Department, and Felda itself, is highly committed to addressing various issues in GSA, including matters related to house ownership for the second and third generations of Felda settlers.
“God willing we will resolve this soon, and I will visit Felda Jengka on September 6 to address some of these issues,” Zahid said.
