SINTOK, 18 May 2026 – Perodua President and Chief Executive Officer, Dato’ Sri Zainal Abidin Ahmad, described the nation’s current economic climate as positive and encouraging, emphasising that job opportunities remain abundant.
Delivering an inspiring opening address in conjunction with the UUM Career Carnival 2026, he acknowledged that many graduates preparing to enter the workforce may perceive the employment landscape as increasingly challenging.
Nevertheless, he stressed that the country’s industrial sector continues to remain dynamic and resilient, with industries constantly seeking fresh talent and young professionals. He also revealed that Perodua has embarked on an aggressive recruitment drive in the near future.
“There are still many job opportunities available out there. Do not give up easily. At Perodua alone, we have recruited 2,000 new employees over the past two years,” he shared, drawing enthusiastic applause from the audience.
Speaking on the qualities sought after by employers today, he delivered a valuable message to students of Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM).
He noted that the modern industrial landscape no longer focuses solely on academic excellence or knowledge. Instead, employers now place greater emphasis on character and attitude as key benchmarks in recruitment.
According to him, technical and theoretical knowledge can be acquired and enhanced throughout one’s professional journey. However, qualities such as a positive attitude, a strong hunger for success, integrity, and the ability to work effectively in teams are among the attributes most valued by employers.
“We want to hire new talents who are ready to be shaped and developed.
“At Perodua, we prioritise attitude alongside the knowledge you bring from university. Knowledge without the right attitude will not be able to move an organisation forward,” he said.
Meanwhile, UUM Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dr Ahmad Martadha Mohamed, in his welcoming speech, described the carnival as a reflection of UUM’s continuous efforts to develop a holistic and sustainable career ecosystem for its students and graduates.
He revealed that UUM recorded an impressive graduate employability rate of 96.6 per cent in 2024, marking an increase from 95 per cent in the previous year.
He further emphasised that such opportunities and exposure are crucial in aligning graduates’ competencies with the actual needs of potential employers across various industry sectors.
“Focus needs to be given to mastering critical skills that are highly sought after in today’s global market, namely digital skills, agile thinking, interpersonal and communication skills, as well as global operational capabilities.
“Thank you to all parties for their close cooperation in providing opportunities and creating a brighter future for our graduates,” he said.
Chief Executive Officer of Talentbank, Mr Ben Ho, also highlighted the importance of strengthening collaborative networks between educational institutions, the corporate sector, and the wider community for the benefit of Malaysians, particularly graduates.
According to him, strategic partnerships between academia and industry are crucial in expanding educational opportunities, enhancing talent development, and strengthening the relationship between universities and industry players.
The ceremony also recognised and appreciated the contributions of sponsors and strategic partners who played an important role in ensuring the success of the programme, including JobStreet.
