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Thousands of job seekers turned up at a hotel in Melaka after a semiconductor manufacturer offered starting salaries of RM3,500, creating a queue that stretched nearly 1km at its peak
The recruitment drive, organised by Germany's Infineon Technologies AG, was held at Holiday Inn Melaka from 8am to 4pm yesterday, 14 June, and aimed to fill around 400 vacancies for operator and technician positions.
What was expected to be a routine hiring exercise quickly turned into a massive turnout, with applicants arriving hours before registration opened and roads surrounding the venue becoming congested with vehicles believed to belong to job seekers.
According to reports, some job seekers began queuing as early as 5am. By morning, the line had extended along the main road leading to the hotel, creating a striking scene that quickly spread across social media.
Videos showing long lines of applicants waiting under the scorching sun drew widespread attention online
On social media, many Malaysians expressed surprise at the sheer number of people willing to wait hours for a chance at employment.
The starting salary of RM3,500 is believed to have been a major draw.
Melaka executive councillor Ngwe Hee Sem dismissed suggestions that the crowd reflected rising unemployment in Melaka, noting that the state's official unemployment rate currently stands at about 2%, considerably lower than the national average of 3%, with over half a million Malaysians now out of work nationwide.
"It is natural to expect large numbers of job seekers when a company offers competitive salaries," he was quoted as saying by FMT.
Ngwe added that the response demonstrated Melaka's ability to attract job seekers from beyond its borders, with some applicants believed to have travelled from other states.
Among those hoping to secure a position was 32-year-old Nurul Fatin Najwa, who arrived at the venue at 6.30am
Despite arriving well before the interviews began, she found that crowds had already gathered outside the hotel.
She only managed to enter the hotel compound at around 10am before completing an interview that lasted approximately 15 minutes.
Nurul Fatin told China Press she learned about the vacancies through social media and decided to apply because of the German company's reputation for offering attractive salaries and employee benefits.
Not everyone was willing or able to endure the wait
Nor Aliah Natasha, 22, said she arrived with a friend at around 7.30am but eventually gave up after waiting for about four hours in the heat.
Currently working as a part-time kindergarten teacher, she said the opportunity was appealing because of the number of vacancies available and the company's reputation as a major employer.
She also believed many applicants had travelled from outside Melaka to try their luck.
Given the overwhelming response, Nor Aliah suggested future recruitment exercises could include online application options to reduce the need for applicants to queue for long periods under difficult weather conditions.
Nor Aliah Natasha and Nurul Fatin Najwa.
Image via China PressThe extraordinary turnout also drew the attention of local authorities
Melaka Historic City Council (MBMB) Mayor Datuk Shadan Othman visited the venue after receiving complaints regarding safety and comfort issues faced by applicants waiting outside the hotel.
He met with the company's management to understand the situation and urged it to take the necessary measures to ensure the welfare, comfort, and safety of those attending the recruitment drive.
Later in the day, Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh arranged for food and drinks to be distributed to applicants waiting in line.
By around noon, the queue had shortened considerably as more applicants were allowed into the hotel compound to attend their interviews.
Still, the sight of thousands of people turning up for a few hundred vacancies offered a powerful illustration of the demand for stable, well-paying jobs, particularly those offered by large multinational employers known for competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits.
