• Today: August 29, 2026

Minister outlines five strategic directions

Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Manpower and Minister of Home Affairs Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ahmaddin bin Haji Abdul Rahman addressed the rising cost of living and increasingly challenging socio-economic changes on the first day of the Second Meeting of the 22nd Legislative Council (LegCo) Session.

“This approach is essential to ensure that the government’s response is not solely focused on providing financial assistance or subsidies, but also on strengthening the ability of the people to generate income, enhance productivity, build household resilience, and reduce long-term dependency on assistance,” he said.

A family requiring financial assistance may also face challenges relating to employment, children’s education, healthcare, housing, transportation, and the care of family members.

Therefore, he said, “a more integrated case management approach must be strengthened to ensure that each family is assessed comprehensively and that intervention plans can be developed, coordinated, and monitored collectively among ministries, agencies, and relevant stakeholders. This approach will not only enhance the effectiveness of assistance provided, but also prevent duplication of programmes and ensure that government resources are utilised optimally.”

Detailing the Third Strategic Direction: Developing Future Talent, he said, “is to develop a national talent pipeline that is capable of meeting the needs of the future economy. In a world driven by technology, innovation, and artificial intelligence, the advantage of a nation depends on the ability of its people to think, innovate, and create value. In this regard, lifelong learning must be cultivated among the community so that the knowledge and skills acquired remain relevant, adaptable, and competitive in line with the evolving demands of the economy.”

“At the same time,” he shared, “the relationship between the education system, technical and vocational training institutions, higher education institutions, and industry must continue to be strengthened to ensure that talent development truly meets national requirements and the demands of the labour market.

“Curricula, training programmes, and human capital development initiatives must also remain responsive to developments in the digital economy, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, the green economy, the care economy, creative industries, and emerging sectors that will become future drivers of national economic growth.”

Regarding the Fourth Strategic Direction: Strengthening the Role of Communities, he said, “is to strengthen the role of communities and grassroots leaders as strategic partners of the government in the implementation of social policies and human capital development. The success of a policy does not depend solely on government efforts, but also on the extent to which communities participate and share collective responsibility. In this context, penghulu mukim and village heads play a highly important role as the link between the government and the people.”

On the Fifth Strategic Direction: Strengthening Policy Governance, he said, “emphasises the need to strengthen policy governance through the use of strategic data, outcome measurement, continuous monitoring, and clear accountability. In the digital era, data is a vital national asset that enables more accurate, responsive, and forward-looking decision-making.

“Therefore, every policy must be formulated based on evidence, supported by comprehensive analysis, and guided by objective assessments. The need for strong governance has become increasingly urgent as the nation faces geopolitical shocks, economic pressures, and environmental challenges, including increasingly complex disruptions to global supply chains.”

Therefore, he mentioned, “the administrative approach must shift from being reactive towards becoming more proactive through scenario planning, regular risk assessments, monitoring of early warning indicators, and continuous policy improvements based on data and performance evaluations.

“This approach will enhance institutional resilience, strengthen the government’s capacity to make faster and more accurate decisions, and ensure that policies remain relevant and effective in responding to an increasingly dynamic environment.”

The five strategic directions that were mentioned, he explained, “are interconnected and mutually reinforcing. Human capital development requires relevant and accessible education for all; quality education creates opportunities for better employment; quality employment strengthens the well-being of individuals and families; while prosperous families contribute towards the formation of resilient communities.” – James Kon

The attendees during the Legislative Council Session. PHOTO: RAFI ROSLI

 

SOURCE/AUTHOR : BORNEO BULLETIN/JAMES KON

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