2.1 mil foreigners working in Malaysia up to June 2022 - Mustapa

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Economy), Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said 1.9 million were recorded last year and 2.1 million in 2020.

"We are not denying that the country still needs foreign workers in various sectors such as construction, plantation, manufacturing and domestic. We still need about 15 per cent of the total labour force and we are approaching this figure.

"However, we also need to attract the locals to work in the plantation or construction industry by providing better facilities so as to reduce the country's dependence on foreign labour."

Mustapa said this to reporters after opening the Statistics Carnival 2022 in conjunction with the National Statistics Day (HSN) 2022 and One Decade of the Malaysia Statistical Training Institute (ILSM) celebration, here, today.

Also present was Chief Statistician, Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin.

Mustapa also said that DOSM released over 500 types of statistics annually to help the country manage at all levels, especially in the economic and socio-economic sectors.

"The statistics are used by various parties, such as the government departments and agencies, Bank Negara Malaysia, investors and various non-governmental organisations in drawing up their plans," he added.

On the HSN celebration, held for the sixth time, he said it was aimed at raising public awareness of the importance of statistics as a benchmark for a better life.

Various programmes have been lined up for the three-day carnival from today, including exhibitions and sales, and the Islamic Affairs Premier Forum, where the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Shah, has consented to attend the forum tonight.