PUTRAJAYA: The government is mulling over a proposal to subsidise the salary of local fresh graduates so that they can earn better wages, says Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The Prime Minister said by improving the wages, the country could wean off its dependency on foreign workers.

But he said the government has not yet made any firm decision on the matter.

“We discussed the issue of foreign workers and the reasons why locals are not interested to work. This include unattractive wages.

“There are parties, which suggested that if possible, we do indirect subsidy.

“This is just a proposal. We will study if we have the money to do so,” he told reporters after launching BOCE Malaysia/Asean digital e-commerce platform yesterday.

He was commenting on a report by Sin Chew Daily, quoting sources that the special Cabinet meeting on Wednesday discussed the possibility for the government to provide RM6bil as allowance and subsidies for fresh graduates.

The move was supposed to help 50,000 young people to obtain employment, according to the report.

Asked to elaborate, the Prime Minister said the plan was to subsidise newly-employed graduates through companies which employ them, and that the government was still looking whether the proposal was feasible.

Earlier in his speech, Dr Mahathir said the Pakatan Harapan government, which would turn one in a few days, has set a clear goal to make Malaysia a developed nation with good environmental and social protection policies, economic inclusion and harmony.

“Boosting productivity at all levels, promoting quality investment, ensuring sustainable long-term economic growth and helping industries to rise are among the fundamentals of the New Malaysia,” he said.

The Prime Minister said with the shift in demand for products, services and consumer behaviour, it was important for companies to stay relevant, adding that this could be done by evolving and changing the way they do things to suit the market.

He also pointed out the importance to go beyond borders, explore opportunities and expand markets.

On the launch of the e-commerce trading platform by Malaysian set-up Commodities Global Trade Sdn Bhd (CGTSB), Dr Mahathir said the new system promises great potentials and possibilities for Malaysian businesses exploring the opportunities beyond the shores.

CGTSB chairman Datuk Seri Khairuddin Abu Hassan said Tianjin Bohai Commodity Exchange has operated in China for six years with trading volume worth about one trillion yuan (RM613.5bil).

“With the e-platform, CGTSB expects more Malaysian and Asean small and medium enterprises to seize the opportunity to further their businesses in China,” he said.