KUALA LUMPUR (April 21): The Ministry of Human Resources in a statement on Tuesday said it has confirmed that a liquidator has been appointed for glove maker WRP Asia Pacific Sdn Bhd in Sepang, affecting the livelihood of 304 locals and 1,122 foreign workers.
Earlier this month, Bloomberg News reported that WRP would wind down its operations in April, citing severe disruptions in global energy and petrochemical supply chains due to the Middle East conflict.
The company said it had been hit by rising costs for petrochemical-based raw materials and chemicals, along with uncertainty in supply timelines. It also noted that suppliers were increasingly requiring advance payments, according to a March 31 letter to customers.
The Department of Labour Peninsular Malaysia (JTKSM) said it received a complaint on April 16, and confirmed the next day that the company had appointed a liquidator and issued immediate termination notices effective April 15.
The JTKSM has since held a coordination meeting with the liquidator, the Social Security Organisation (Socso), and the police to manage the fallout. The liquidator has agreed to process all wage and termination claims through the proof of debt (POD) system.
The Human Resources Ministry said March 2026 salaries have been fully paid, while April wages are still being processed. Some local workers will also be offered short-term contracts to assist with essential winding-up work, including documentation and maintenance of factory assets.
Socso has briefed workers on Employment Insurance System benefits and is using the MYFutureJobs platform to match affected employees with new job opportunities. Career counselling support will also be provided.
For foreign workers, welfare support including accommodation and food will continue until relocation is completed, while efforts are underway to secure new employment placements.
The Human Resources Ministry said it will continue monitoring compliance with labour laws and ensure the process remains orderly, transparent and fair, while urging the public not to speculate as claims are still being processed.