01/08/2026

SATURDAY | AUG 1, 2026

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‘Ensure AI adoption backed by adequate staff training’

Ministry targets end to abandoned projects by 2030 KUALA LUMPUR: The Housing and Local Government Ministry aims to eliminate sick and abandoned housing projects in Malaysia by 2030 through the Madani Housing Reform and other initiatives designed to strengthen homebuyer protection. Its minister Nga Kor Ming said the reforms include improvements to the Housing Integrated Management System, electronic sale and purchase agreements, Housing Development Accounts and the proposed Option to Purchase mechanism. “The ministry has set a vision that by 2030, Malaysia will no longer have any abandoned housing projects,” he told a press conference after opening the Asean Real Estate Conference 2026 and Archidex 2026 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre on Thursday. Nga added that the ministry’s special task force has revived 1,647 sick and abandoned housing projects nationwide, with a gross development value exceeding RM150 billion. Meanwhile, visitors to both events can enjoy a 10% discount on selected homes through a collaboration between the ministry and the Real Estate and Housing Developers Association Malaysia. “This is a golden opportunity for Malaysians to own their dream homes at affordable prices.” Nga added that Archidex 2026, which brings together 860 exhibitors across 39,000sq m of exhibition space, was the largest architecture, interior design and building materials exhibition in Malaysia’s history. He also said the event further strengthened the country’s position as a regional hub for the built environment and urban development industries. Malaysia currently has about 500 million square feet of green buildings, with the ministry collaborating with the University of Cambridge to develop an internationally recognised Green Building Index standard. Nga said all future People’s Residency Programme projects would incorporate renewable energy, rainwater harvesting systems and other green features to support the sustainable development agenda. – Bernama RM369 million annually, exceeding the revenue collected from excise duties on vape products. The ministry reported that excise duty collections from electronic cigarettes and vape products amounted to RM80.32 million in 2023, RM111.14 million in 2024 and RM118.93 million in 2025. Collections stood at RM44.11 million between Jan 1 and June 11 this year, bringing the total to RM354.51 million. It stressed that excise duty revenue was not justification for allowing vape products to remain on the market. The government’s vape policy has undergone several changes since 2023, when liquid nicotine was removed from control under the Poisons Act to facilitate the taxation and regulation of vape products. Several states have since introduced restrictions on vape sales. Johor, Kelantan, Terengganu, Perlis, Kedah and Pahang stopped issuing or renewing licences for vape retailers in 2025. Perak implemented a similar policy on Jan 1 this year, becoming the seventh state to do so. However, despite several states tightening controls on vape sales, the federal government has yet to impose a nationwide ban. The ministry said any decision on a more comprehensive prohibition would continue to be assessed based on scientific evidence, current data and public health interests while the government focused on enforcing the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024.

o Companies urged to match tech transition with stronger workforce development

While these systems could improve efficiency, workers also needed the skills to operate them and interpret the information they generated. She stressed that AI training should be tailored to the duties performed in different occupations instead of being delivered as a single broad or highly technical subject. “A technician, human resources officer, small business owner and healthcare worker may use AI differently. Training should therefore be linked to actual workplace tasks rather than delivered as a broad or highly technical subject. “We must also widen access, particularly for workers in small and medium enterprises, local communities and non-technology sectors,” she said. At the launch of the Jelajah AI MyMahir TalentCorp programme in Bandar Tun Razak on July 23, Biruntha said more than three million Malaysian workers are expected to experience changes in their tasks and required skills within the next five years. She explained that the Human Resources Ministry approach was to connect Malaysians with relevant skills and ensure those capabilities lead to employment opportunities and career mobility. To support the transition, the TalentCorp MyMahir platform allows employers and workers to compare existing capabilities with changing job requirements, identify transferable skills and explore pathways into related or higher-value roles. Its MyMahir SkillsLab works with employers and industry leaders to identify specific gaps and develop targeted upskilling, reskilling and job-redesign programmes. Meanwhile, the Jelajah AI MyMahir programme brings practical AI literacy to communities for use in employment, business, learning and daily tasks.

responsibilities,” she said in a written reply to theSun . However, Biruntha cautioned that technology could be deployed more quickly than workers could develop the ability to use it effectively. “In some organisations, technology adoption may be moving faster than workforce development. AI tools can be introduced relatively quickly, but building workforce capability requires structured training, leadership support and opportunities for workers to apply new skills in their roles. “Introducing an AI system alone will not automatically improve productivity. Employers must also understand how jobs are changing, identify the skills required and prepare workers to use the technology responsibly and effectively,” she added. Biruntha also said industries risk falling behind when employers introduced new technology faster than workers could acquire the skills needed to use it effectively. Such a gap could result in slower productivity gains, difficulties filling emerging roles, longer adjustment periods after new technologies are introduced and fewer workers progressing into higher-value positions. She said industries relying heavily on data, automation and global competitiveness could experience the transition sooner, as technology investments would deliver limited value if employees lacked the skills to operate new systems. Citing the TalentCorp study, Biruntha highlighted the electrical and electronics sector, in which automated quality control, predictive maintenance and data-driven production are changing the responsibilities of technicians, engineers and production teams.

Ű BY FAIZ RUZMAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: TalentCorp has warned that some companies may be adopting artificial intelligence (AI) faster than they are preparing workers to use it. Its MyMahir Impact Study identified 120 emerging occupations gaining importance across 22 sectors of Malaysia’s economy, including AI and machine learning engineers, data scientists, AI auditors and prompt engineers. TalentCorp group CEO Biruntha Mooruthi said the study also identified 2,146 existing roles in which tasks and required skills were evolving amid advances in AI, digitalisation and the green economy. However, the findings do not point to the wholesale disappearance of established professions, with many jobs instead being reshaped and enhanced. “Engineers are using predictive systems, finance professionals are applying AI-supported analyses and customer service teams are focusing more on complex problem-solving. “This means workers do not necessarily need to move into entirely new professions. “In many cases, the opportunity is to strengthen their existing expertise with AI and digital skills, allowing them to become more productive and take on higher-value GEORGE TOWN: The Consumers Association of Penang has again questioned the government’s delay in imposing a total ban on vape products, saying the move could save the country RM369 million annually. Its senior education officer N. V. Subbarow has repeatedly urged the government over the past year to introduce such a ban, citing the harmful effects of vaping and the ease with which students could obtain the products. “It is illogical and doesn’t make any sense to spend millions on a problem that can be stopped by banning vaping. Why the delay in banning vape?” he said in a statement on Thursday. Subbarow added that the RM369 million could instead be channelled into health education and disease prevention programmes. “What is there to be evaluated based on scientific evidence for a comprehensive ban? There is already enough research and proof that vaping should be banned. There is no need to wait.” He said while many countries had already banned or strictly regulated vaping to protect young generations, Malaysia has yet to impose a total prohibition. The financial burden is ultimately borne by taxpayers, including non-smokers and non-vapers, Subbarow said. “The money spent by the government to deal Ű BY T.C. KHOR newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Association questions delay over total ban on vape

Subbarow said while many countries had already banned or strictly regulated vaping to protect young generations, Malaysia has yet to impose a total prohibition. – AMIRUL SYAFIQ/THESUN

vaping, save millions and protect the young generation.” On July 29, the Health Ministry said in a written reply to the Dewan Negara that the health and economic burden arising from diseases linked to vape use was estimated at

with vape-related illnesses also belongs to non-vapers and non-smokers.” He added that users also spent substantial amounts on vaping devices and liquids. “Many of them spend at least RM150 a month. It is better for the government to ban