KUALA LUMPUR - The Head of the West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) Manpower and Transmigration Office, Dr H Aidy Furqan, attended an Appreciation and Thanksgiving Assembly organised by SD Guthrie Berhad Malaysia at the Lombok Astoria Hotel on February 12.

At the event, Aidy said the NTB provincial government views migrant workers as part of its broader human capital development strategy.

“NTB migrant workers are ambassadors of the region. Therefore, their quality must be prepared in a comprehensive manner, not only to be skilled at work, but also to have confidence, language ability and a strong cultural identity,” he said.

He explained that the NTB Manpower and Transmigration Office is preparing to transform its job training centres into Skill Centres with Regional Public Service Agency (BLUD) status.

The reform will focus on strengthening foreign language skills, soft skills and knowledge of local cultural values so that NTB migrant workers can adapt well and promote a positive image of the region in host countries.

The provincial government is also designing a financing support scheme through Bank NTB Syariah to assist prospective migrant workers from low-income families, especially those from extremely poor villages.

“We want to open the widest possible access for people who truly need overseas job opportunities, without being burdened by high costs,” Aidy added.

NTB BP3MI Chief Senior Commissioner Ponco Indriyo expressed commitment to stronger coordination, improved transparent digital services and measures to prevent non-procedural departures.

Meanwhile, SD Guthrie Berhad chairman Badrul Hisham Bin Ismail thanked the NTB provincial government for its support.

He said that throughout 2025, a total of 3,000 migrant workers had been placed under an ethical recruitment and Zero Cost scheme, with most workers not facing placement fee issues.

Through this collaboration, the NTB Manpower and Transmigration Office reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening a professional, collaborative and worker-focused migrant placement system that prioritises protection and welfare for the people of NTB.