SHAH ALAM, May 31 — Selangor trade and industry chief Teresa Kok took the federal government to task over its inconsistent labour policies today, saying it should let the experts decide on foreign labour requirements and allow asylum seekers to work in the country.

Kok (picture), who is in charge of investment, industry and trade in Malaysia’s wealthiest state, said the Najib administration should give more powers to the Malaysian Industrial Development Authority (Mida) for the recruitment of workers in various industries.

“Mida is in the best position to know the hiring needs of investors in Malaysia, and best able to advise the Human Resources Ministry and the Immigration Department,” she said in a statement today.

The Kinrara assemblyman also demanded the Barisan Nasional (BN) federal government issue temporary work permits to an estimated 90,000 foreigners with refugee status, in a bid to fill up the labour shortage faced by industries.

“The federal government’s constantly flip-flopping labour policy exacerbates our labour shortage problem, drives investors away and makes Malaysia lose our competitiveness.

“These flip-flopping policies have given investors the impression that Malaysia is not pro-business,” Kok said.

The DAP politician pointed to the freeze on the hiring and renewal of work permits for foreigners, which she claimed has led to a shortage of workers for investors who wanted to expand their factory operations.

Kok said investors, especially in Selangor, have also complained of being given the run-around by the Human Resources Ministry and the Immigration Department despite having received approval from Mida for their projects.

“When the federal government takes our investors’ complaint so lightly, it is no wonder that many have begun to pull their investments out of Malaysia in favour [of] our neighbouring countries.

“This is especially true in the state of Selangor, which contributes up to 35 per cent of Malaysia’s GDP,” stressed Kok, who is also Seputeh MP.

“If the federal government continues to ignore the labour shortage faced by investors and industrialists, Najib’s New Economic Model is doomed to fail,” she warned.