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Anwar sets one-month deadline for foreign worker application resolution

Published July 25, 2026 at 8:32 AM UTC

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Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has given ministries a one-month deadline to resolve pending foreign worker applications, with priority for the restaurant sector. The directive comes amid widespread complaints from food and beverage businesses struggling with labor shortages since border restrictions eased. Employers have warned that delays threaten operations and could push up prices. The government aims to balance economic needs with regulatory oversight, but the tight timeline raises questions about processing capacity. Small restaurants, which rely heavily on migrant workers, are among the most affected. The deadline applies to applications already in the system, and ministries are expected to coordinate with immigration and labor departments. Business groups have cautiously welcomed the move but stress that long-term reforms are needed to reduce dependency on foreign labor. The outcome will be closely watched by other sectors facing similar shortages.