PM Anwar Orders Malaysia To Fast-Track First 15,000 Foreign Worker Applications Amid Labour Shortages

Malaysia is moving to speed up the processing of foreign worker applications as the government responds to manpower shortages affecting several key sectors.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has instructed the Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA) to immediately process the first 15,000 foreign worker applications.

Communications Minister and Unity Government spokesperson Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil said the directive was issued to meet workforce requirements in affected industries and support economic activity.

“The Prime Minister has asked the Human Resources Ministry to immediately process the first 15,000 foreign worker applications,” Fahmi said during a post-Cabinet meeting press conference on August 5, 2026.

He said the move is aimed at ensuring industries facing manpower shortages can meet their workforce needs more efficiently.

KESUMA Takes Full Control Of Foreign Worker Management

The latest directive follows the government’s decision to place the One-Stop Centre (OSC) for Foreign Worker Management fully under KESUMA.

Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan previously announced that the ministry had taken full responsibility for managing the centre following a Cabinet decision on July 1.

The move is intended to strengthen governance and centralise the management of foreign worker recruitment while making the process more systematic.

The decision was made during the first 2026 Cabinet Committee on Foreign Workers meeting on June 30.

For more information on the OSC's role in processing foreign worker applications, employers can refer to the One-Stop Centre information from KESUMA.

22,476 Foreign Worker Quota Applications Received

The government’s decision comes as demand for foreign workers remains high among Malaysian employers.

As of July 6, KESUMA had received 22,476 foreign worker quota applications involving 548 companies.

The government is now moving to process the first 15,000 applications to help meet workforce needs in sectors facing manpower shortages.

What This Means For Employers

For employers facing labour shortages, the latest move means:

15,000 Applications To Be Processed: PM Anwar has ordered KESUMA to immediately process the first 15,000 foreign worker applications.
KESUMA Leads Management: KESUMA is now fully responsible for the One-Stop Centre (OSC) for Foreign Worker Management.
Centralised Recruitment Management: Foreign worker quota and recruitment management are being handled under KESUMA.
Digital Application Process: Foreign worker quota applications can be submitted through the eQuota module in FWCMS.
Support For Workforce Needs: The move is intended to help affected sectors meet their workforce requirements and support Malaysia’s economic activities.

FAQs

How many foreign worker applications will be processed first?

The government has instructed KESUMA to immediately process the first 15,000 foreign worker applications.

Why is Malaysia processing foreign worker applications?

The move is aimed at addressing manpower shortages in key sectors and supporting economic activities.

Which Ministry handles foreign worker applications?

The Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA) is responsible for managing the One-Stop Centre (OSC) for Foreign Worker Management.

How many foreign worker quota applications has KESUMA received?

As of July 6, KESUMA had received 22,476 quota applications involving 548 companies.

How are foreign worker quota applications processed?

Foreign worker quota applications are processed through the eQuota module in FWCMS, where employers can submit applications online for government verification and approval.

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