Don’t hire based on race, minister tells employers

Asila Jalil Asila Jalil Updated 5 years ago · Published on 16 Mar 2019 2:54PM · 6 Comments

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Waytha Moorthy says he understands the need for some sectors to only hire those who master certain languages, but restrictions should not be made towards a specific race. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, March 16, 2019.

EMPLOYERS nationwide were urged to not have restrictions for a single race when providing job opportunities to the public.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department P. Waytha Moorthy was commenting on the government’s plan to end racial discrimination on job applications.

He said he understood the need for some sectors to only hire those who master certain languages, but restrictions should not be made towards a specific race.

“There are companies that state they need someone who can speak in Mandarin because they have clients who speak the language. That cannot be avoided.

“But we should not implement a job restriction on a single race,” he told reporters at the sidelines of a unity event in Kuala Lumpur today.

Waytha had said recently that the National Unity and Integration Department will have an action plan to overcome racial discrimination faced by Malays and Indians when applying for jobs.

He said all Malaysians should be given equal employment opportunities.

His statement was made following a study done by the Centre for Governance and Political Studies (Cent-GPS) which found a great difference between candidates of various races in landing job interviews in the private sector, even though they have similar qualifications.

Cent-GPS director Zaidel Baharuddin said more Malaysians will be marginalised because of their ethnicity if the trend continues.

“This study is important because it shows us just how discriminatory our private sector really is.

“Even as candidates with the same qualifications, education and experiences, ethnicity still plays a vital role in the success of a job application.

“Hardworking Indian and Malay students will not get the opportunity they deserve, creating a dangerous future of inequality and social instability,” said Zaidel. – March 16, 2019.

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Comments

  • The minister should also walk the talk when it comes to hiring in the government sector including GLCs. Why is is that 80% of the employees are of a certain race? Why is it that the heads of GLCs and government departments and schools are more than 90% of a certain race?

    Posted 5 years ago by Rupert Lum · Reply

  • I agree. Should be based on meritocracy and this should apply to both the private and public sectors

    Posted 5 years ago by Geraldine Jambu · Reply

  • This also applies to public sector or government Dept.....

    Posted 5 years ago by Wei Kuan Tan · Reply

  • Show examples where and which sectors that hard working and capable Malays and Indians are not given the opportunity. Private sectors are starving for competent people to deliver the job expectation. They hardly have chance to choose, in fact would be fighting hard to retain a competent staff. Survey properly lah.

    Posted 5 years ago by James Wong · Reply

  • This minister is another non performer, making unwarranted statement... statements with proper research.. just shooting his mouth..
    Mr Minister, please see the comments below.. Te comments are valid. Please be conscientious when making statements..
    Dr M should have a cabinet reshuffle and throw out non performers.. 10 months is sufficient time

    Posted 5 years ago by Kampung Boy · Reply

  • Applies to Government jobs too?

    Posted 5 years ago by Lipdah Lia · Reply