KUALA LUMPUR (June 29): The government has launched Bakat Madani, a national talent development initiative involving Petroliam Nasional Bhd (PETRONAS), government-linked investment companies (GLICs) and government-linked companies (GLCs), aimed at helping 25,000 Malaysians gain skills training, quality jobs and better career opportunities by mid-2027.

The Ministry of Finance in a statement said the initiative launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Monday focuses on improving employability and career placement within the GLIC, GLC and PETRONAS ecosystem, expanding job opportunities in strategic sectors and strengthening collaboration between industries and technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions.

Bakat Madani will support graduates, TVET youths and vulnerable groups, including B40 households and former Armed Forces personnel with training, certifications and employment opportunities in high-value sectors such as semiconductors, renewable energy, digital economy and advanced manufacturing.

The government will also introduce special tax incentives for companies that provide training under the initiative to encourage greater industry participation.

Further details on the implementations of the incentives are being finalised and will be announced in due course.

Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan said in the statement that the initiative is designed to bridge the gap between talent and opportunity, noting that investing in human capital would strengthen the country's economic growth.

"Talent exists in every corner of the country. Our responsibility is to build the bridges that connect that talent with the opportunities available, and that is the primary goal of Bakat Madani,” said Amir Hamzah in the statement.

“When we invest in the development of our people, we also strengthen the nation's economic foundations. Raising the standard of living for the people and increasing the potential for economic growth is a mutually reinforcing cycle," he added.

The six primary GLICs participating in Bakat Madani are Khazanah Nasional Bhd, the Employees Provident Fund (EPF), Retirement Fund Inc, Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB), Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) and the Armed Forces Fund Board (LTAT).

In addition, the initiative is also supported by 37 GLCs and 10 universities.