Nicholas Lam, Managing Director of Jobstreet by SEEK Malaysia
As Malaysia works towards balanced economic growth, talent opportunities are increasingly emerging beyond the nation’s major urban centres. Secondary cities like Ipoh, Kuching and Kota Bharu are witnessing a rise in business activity, driven in large part by the country’s vibrant micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
According to SME Corporation Malaysia, MSMEs accounted for 96% of all firms in Malaysia in 2024, and employed 8.1 million workers. These businesses recorded 5.8% growth, contributing RM652.4 billion to the economy, with their GDP share rising to 39.5% from 39% the previous year. As Malaysian MSMEs look to scale and globalise, many are adopting flexible strategies such as fractional management, a practice that brings in experienced executives on a part-time or project basis to help a business adapt swiftly to changing market demands.
Recognising the need for accessible hiring solutions, Jobstreet by SEEK introduced freemium in August 2024, a feature that offers free job advertising and connects businesses with suitable talent through advanced AI matching. Since then, freemium has attracted nearly 300,000 applications, helping to bridge suburban jobseekers with MSMEs and open up more relevant employment opportunities.
The Shifting Priorities of Small Businesses
For many MSMEs, rising wage obligations, tighter foreign labour regulations and new reporting requirements are making operations more challenging than ever. On top of this, a persistent shortage of skilled and semi-skilled workers continues to hold businesses back. In response, many are turning to capabilities-based hiring – prioritising candidates with versatile skill sets who can help businesses achieve more with fewer resources.
The government has taken steps to ease these pressures. Initiatives such as the Geran Digital PMKS Madani (GDPM) scheme, with an additional RM50 million in funding this year, aim to accelerate digital adoption among MSMEs, giving businesses beyond major urban centres access to the tools and resources needed to operate more efficiently.
Coupled with programmes like the Penjana HRDF Reskilling Program, which makes upskilling more accessible, this means a wider pool of talent is now equipped with the skills required in high-demand sectors, from manufacturing to logistics.
Connecting MSMEs with the Right Talent
This growing talent pool offers MSMEs nationwide a valuable opportunity to secure the right people to fuel their next phase of growth. With Jobstreet’s freemium offering, businesses can reach and hire quality candidates without incurring additional recruitment costs. By removing financial barriers, freemium levels the playing field and gives smaller businesses the same access to quality talent as larger corporations – helping them reach, attract and secure the right candidates quickly.
Many MSMEs have found freemium to be a practical and low-risk hiring solution. “Having a cost-effective option like Lite Ads (freemium) provides flexibility without financial risk. We find Lite Ads to be a valuable tool for SMEs, and we appreciate Jobstreet for making this option available,” said Lau Kah Peak, Senior HR Executive at TJ-TYT PHARMACEUTICALS (M) SDN BHD.
Larger employers have also found success, proving its effectiveness across the board. “Through Jobstreet’s Lite ads, we’ve been able to attract candidates for trainee, intern, and technician-level roles, and have successfully made hires from these applications,” said Ms Aida, HR Executive at Jowat Manufacturing (SEA) Sdn Bhd.
The momentum is especially strong in the Manufacturing, Transport & Logistics sectors, where free job advertising on Jobstreet saw a 90% year-on-year increase, reflecting the demand for skilled talent in these growth areas.
With government support, employer commitment to capability-building and accessible hiring tools like freemium, MSMEs are better positioned than ever to compete, innovate and thrive in a changing economic landscape.
Looking Ahead – Building a Stronger Malaysia Together
Talent is everywhere in Malaysia, but opportunities have historically been concentrated in big cities. By breaking down the cost barrier for job postings, the freemium campaign helps businesses in every corner of the country tap into the skills they need; and helps jobseekers find meaningful work close to home.
Jobstreet’s freemium expansion into ten states nationwide is more than a strategic move; it’s a clear vote of confidence in the limitless potential of Malaysia’s SMEs and their role in driving the nation’s economy. This commitment goes beyond funding job advertisements. It’s a long-term pledge to strengthen and empower the local workforce.
Employers hiring in Kedah, Malacca, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Perlis, Terengganu, Kelantan, Sabah and Sarawak can now post job advertisements for free, and find more information by visiting https://my.employer.seek.com/.
