The Malaysian Employers Federation says making mandatory allowance payments for interns will discourage employers from offering internship placements

The Malaysian Employers Federation says making mandatory allowance payments for interns will discourage employers from offering internship placements. 

“MEF views that employers should pay internship allowances at their discretion,” president Syed Hussain Syed Husman says.

He adds that the government should instead work to offer more incentives for the private sector to take in more interns, and make it compulsory for all undergraduates to undergo an internship attachment.

Syed Hussain says internship is an opportunity for students to gain industry experience and impress employers, adding that firms have to conduct extensive planning to transfer knowledge and skills to interns.

“Having internal leaders, supervisors, structured programs, exams, assignments and reviews for interns all take up much management time,” he adds. 

“What industries are doing for interns should be appreciated and stakeholders need to thank the efforts done by industries.”