‘Time to start hiring local guards’

PUTRAJAYA: The security services industry must start hiring more local guards, says Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (pic).

The Home Minister said this was because the government’s current policy of allowing the hiring of foreigners was not permanent.

“Our current policy allows the recruitment of foreign security guards, and they are limited only to guards from Nepal.

“I want to remind all that this policy is only temporary.

“Instead, the industry must increase its efforts to attract more locals to work in this sector.

“This can be done by offering training packages and retirement schemes, thus creating a more attractive image of the profession,” said Muhyiddin at a meeting with the security services industry player here yesterday.

He said the industry should also encourage the use of new technology to increase efficiency while reducing dependence on foreigners.

“Indirectly, the usage of technology will provide more higher-skilled job opportunities to locals, which in turn contributes to the government’s aspiration of increasing income and uplift the people’s living standards as stated in the Shared Prosperity Vision,” he said.

He also said the private security services industry had a role to play in helping the country deal with threats such as terrorism and transboundary crime.

“Although our statistics show that violent crimes have gone down in general, it does not mean that our efforts to maintain public order and safety can be taken for granted,” said Muhyiddin.

“The Royal Malaysian Police will continue to ensure that our security is guaranteed.

“But at the same time, we are faced with non-traditional threats such as terrorism and transboundary crime. These threats are a big challenge to the government.

“Therefore, the private security industry has an important role to play in helping the police,” he added.

Meanwhile, Muhyiddin revealed that the Home Ministry had revoked the licences of 62 security services companies for various problems since 2013.

These include the hiring of illegal workers, failure to conduct screening on employees, using fake identification documents and firearms-related offences.

“If there are any breaches of the law, the ministry will not hesitate to take action. I hope these offences are not repeated as they not only incur a loss to companies but also cause security threats to the public,” said Muhyiddin.

Also present at the event were ministry secretary-general Tan Sri Alwi Ibrahim and the Security Services Industry Association president Datuk Seri Ramli Yusuff.

Source: TheStar