KUALA LUMPUR (May 15): Malaysia's plans to send over semi-skilled workers to Japan to meet the latter's acute labour shortage will benefit Malaysia and its people, says Human Resources Minister M Kula Segaran.

In a statement today, the minister said the memorandum of cooperation (MoC) is still being drafted and not finalised at this moment, with more details to be revealed when signed, but stressed that the agreement will help protect and monitor Malaysians seeking job opportunities in Japan.

"It is unfair to deny Malaysians good jobs overseas and it is foolish to think that Malaysians will not seek jobs overseas even if a formal deal was not reached.

"At least with a formal deal, there could be better protection and monitoring of these Malaysians and their development could also be closely monitored," he said, adding there are approximately one million Malaysians working abroad, 500,000 of whom work in Singapore alone.

The minister pointed out that it will not be easy to qualify to work in Japan as only those assessed by the Japan government as skilled and competent in the Japanese language will be considered.

He said Malaysians who work in Japan will not only be earning a good starting wage, but will also be gaining high levels of experience in skill and technology that they can then bring back to Malaysia upon their return.

"Think of how much our country will benefit from that as intended in the recently reactivated Look East Policy.

"Malaysians overseas also usually send back a large sum of money meant for their families or loved ones, which means there will be more disposable income spent in the country as a result," he said.

The minister issued the statement today after reports of Malaysia's plans to send blue-collared workers to Japan under a new visa programme launched by the Japanese evoked a mixed response.

Online news reports had said both countries are aiming to strike a deal this July, when Kula Segaran visits Tokyo for the MoC signing.

"Barisan Nasional (BN) critics will naturally object to this move as BN has never created opportunity like this for Malaysians and often closed one eye when Malaysians made headlines for working illegally overseas, do we still want that?

"Malaysia Baharu will soon consist of a highly skilled and well paid workforce, but before that we need to skill, re-skill and up-skill ourselves as well as venture into new terrain, learn good working ethics and increase our productivity as well as study their technology so that Malaysia can soon reap its benefits.

"At the same time, we are committed in bringing back highly skilled and experienced talent to Malaysia to take it to greater heights," he added.