PONTIAN, March 6 — Four community colleges in Johor will have permanent campuses as approved in the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP), said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

He said the community colleges involved are Kolej Komuniti Bandar Tenggara, Kolej Komuniti Pagoh, Kolej Komuniti Parit Sulong and Kolej Komuniti Simpang Renggam.

"All these projects involve a cost or allocation ceiling of about RM61.2 million,” he said in his speech at the launch of the Kolej Komuniti@Pontian at the Muafakat ComplexSimpang Pinggan, Benut, near here today.

Also present were Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Hasni Mohammad and Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Noraini Ahmad.

Ismail Sabri said in the 12MP, the government had identified Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as one of the drivers of change, especially to meet the industry’s demand for labour.

"Therefore, the government has allocated RM6.6 billion to implement various initiatives under the relevant ministries and agencies, including Department of Polytechnic Education and Community College Education (JPPKK) under the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE).

"For 2022, the government has allocated RM25 million to JPPKK to implement TVET training programmes,” said the Prime Minister, adding that the government is also targeting 25,000 trainees to benefit from this allocation.

He added that the government is very committed to empowering the local community through the TVET agenda which is a manifestation of the government’s efforts to help improve the living standards of Keluarga Malaysia (Malaysian Family).

At the event, Ismail Sabri officiated the launch of the Kolej Komuniti@Pontian which is the second satellite college established in Johor after the Kolej Komuniti@Parit Sulong.

Meanwhile, Noraini in her speech during the launch, said the establishment of the satellite community college was part of MOHE’s commitment to ensure the success of the Malaysia Education Development Plan 2015-2025 and the Polytechnic and Community College Strategic Plan 2018-2025 (PSPKK).

"This is also a manifestation of the government in supporting the implementation agenda of lifelong learning (PSH) in order to increase knowledge, strengthen skills and improve the living standards of the local community.

"The satellite community college in Pontian is expected to help boost the local economy through the provision of training, skills, PSH and entrepreneurship programmes for diverse groups in the community such as youths, senior citizens, single mothers, the disabled and B40,” said Noraini. — Bernama