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State
governments have been urged to
sponsor youths to overcome the
growing shortage of seafarers in the
country as a result of rapid
growth in the number of Malaysian
registered ships.
The
Menteri Besar Negeri Sembilan, Datuk
Seri Utama Tan Sri Haji Mohd Isa
states should look into this
suggestion to meet the national
demand for local seamen.
“We
have taken our first step by
sponsoring a total of 33 student,”
said the chief minister in his
keynote address at the 74th
certificate presentation ceremony of
Akademi Laut Malaysia in Malacca
recently.
Tan
Sri Isa said Malaysia, which has
declared its intention to
become a maritime
nation, should train more youths
for the benefit of the maritime
community in the country.
“After
all trained students are guaranteed
a job upon graduation,” he added.
“It
is important to note that one of the
six orang asli-sponsored students,
Man anak Maalo become the top
student of the academy for PKR
courses conducted by the Academy. In
view of that we will continue our
sponsorship programme for this year.
We will be sponsoring a total of 50
students for the next batch training
programme offered by Alam," the
Menteri Besar added.
A
total of 130 students graduated at
the 74th convocation ceremony
held at the Auditorium, Alam. The
students were sponsored mainly by
the Malaysia International Shipping
Corporation (84 students), Negeri
Sembilan State government (28
students), Tampin District Office (6
students), Global Maritime Ventures
Bhd (7 students) and Johor Port
Authority (2 students) and Alam (3
students)
Meanwhile
the Maritime Institute of Malaysia (MIMA)
has been co-coordinating a special
national manpower study of seafarers
to assess the supply and demand of
trained seamen in the maritime
industry.
It
is understood that although the
Malaysian register of seamen reports
more than 55,000 officers and
ratings, the shortfall is severe
since a large number of Malaysian
offices and crew serve on board
foreign vessels, while an equally
large number find attractive
opportunities in shore-based
employment.
The
study, which is being conducted by
MIMA, will traced the development of
seafarers training in Malaysia over
the last 10 years and will take a
look at the national manpower
requirements for seafarers over the
next five years period.
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