Panasonic Celebrates 40th Anniversary Of Malaysia’s Look East Policy
Panasonic entered Malaysia in 1965 and has since contributed about 1% of the country's gross domestic profit (GDP).
By Laila Zain — 25 Aug 2022, 08:52 AM
Panasonic Group of Companies in Malaysia recently commemorated the 40th anniversary of Malaysia’s adoption of the Look East Policy (LEP) which has been instrumental to the industrialisation effort of Malaysia
Mr. Iwata Kazuchika (seated 3rd, from right), Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Economy, Trade & Industry; Mr. Takahashi Katsuhiko (seated 2nd from right), Ambassador, Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary of Japan; Datuk Arham Abdul Rahman (seated 2nd from left), Chief Executive Officer of Malaysian Investment Development Authority; Mr Hiroyuki Imizu (seated 3rd from left), Managing Director Panasonic Management Malaysia, a Division of Panasonic Malaysia Sdn Bhd.
Image via Panasonic (Provided to SAYS)The occasion saw a gathering of LEP alumni who contributed to the nation's social and economic development through learning from Japan.
In attendance were Mr. Iwata Kazuchika, Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Economy, Trade & Industry, Mr. Takahashi Katsuhiko, Ambassador, Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary of Japan, and Datuk Arham Abdul Rahman, CEO of Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA).
Mr Hiroyuki Imizu (centre), Managing Director Panasonic Management Malaysia, a Division of Panasonic Malaysia Sdn Bhd, and Datuk Arham Abdul Rahman (right) Chief Executive Officer Malaysian Investment Development Authority.
Image via Panasonic (Provided to SAYS)Panasonic entered Malaysia in 1965 and has since contributed about 1% of the country's gross domestic profit (GDP), as well as created some 20,000 jobs via the 21 companies under the Panasonic Group of Companies in Malaysia
With an HRDF-certified in-house education and training institution in Malaysia, Panasonic has continued to coach 5,000 employees every year for the last 25 years.
From 1996 to March 2020, a total of 375 excellent employees, 61 of which are Malaysians, have graduated from "Panasonic Manufacturing College" in Osaka, Japan, a core manufacturing human resources development institute offering a one-year programme.
The LEP was introduced by former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and placed great significance in the development of infrastructure and human resource
Mr Hiroyuki Imizu, Managing Director of Panasonic Management Malaysia, a Division of Panasonic Malaysia Sdn Bhd.
Image via Panasonic (Provided to SAYS)"Panasonic's 'Basic Business Philosophy' and the practice of 5S concentrates on producing employees who can contribute to society especially in the manufacturing sector," said Mr Hiroyuki Imizu, Managing Director of Panasonic Management, a division of Panasonic Malaysia.
"Our training programmes are rooted in fostering work ethics and cultivating an independent and responsible mindset, which has led employee development and the pride of job ownership. As a result, this mindset is the source of profit and has contributed to the realisation of the LEP.
"By further developing our business with a focus on human resource development, we hope to continue making meaningful contribution where Malaysia is richer both socially and economically."
Datuk Arham Abdul Rahman, Chief Executive Officer of Malaysian Investment Development Authority.
Image via Panasonic (Provided to SAYS)Datuk Arham Abdul Rahman, CEO of MIDA, stated, "The year 2022 marks the 40th Anniversary of the Look East Policy between Malaysia and Japan and this ceremony is a testament to Malaysia's and Japan's existing strong bilateral relations, strengthened since 1957."
"The 40th anniversary is a great opportunity to publicise the significant roles the Look East Policy (LEP) has played and to encourage the Japanese and Malaysians to go hand-in-hand towards the future in promoting mutual understanding and friendly cooperation in various fields," added Datuk Arham.
Since the Malaysian government adopted the LEP in 1982, over 26,000 promising Malaysian youth have gone to Japan for study and training
Under the cooperation between the two governments, these Malaysian youths have been playing an important role as a bridge to connect the two countries.
Countless former Look East students have also been a critical part of the start-up foundation of Panasonic's operations. Among them, 75 ex-students are still working within the group with one most noticeably risen in ranks to be a Deputy Managing Director of Panasonic Industrial Devices Malaysia Sdn Bhd (PIDMY), one of the Group's manufacturing companies.
To date, close to 1,500 Japanese companies are operating in Malaysia, employing over 400,000 Malaysians, including Panasonic group companies in Malaysia.
