Deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today pledged an additional incentive of RM100,000 for every gold medal won at the upcoming 44th WorldSkills Competition (WSC) 2017.

This is on top of the RM40,000 currently offered for Malaysian gold medalists at the biennial technical and vocational skills competition.

"This is my promise. Whoever who represents Malaysia in the WSC and bags gold, the government will top up with an award of RM100,000 cash," said Zahid in his speech to launch Malaysia's Road to Abu Dhabi campaign at PWTC today.

He also said that the incentive was offered as a motivation for both participants and their trainers.

At present, the government is also offering RM20,000 for every silver medal, RM10,000 for bronze, RM4,000 for a Medallion of Excellence and RM4,000 for Best in Nation category at the WSC.

The Malaysian delegation to WSC 2017 comprise 21 members selected out of 50 winners at the Asean Skills Competition held in Kuala Lumpur last year. They will compete at the WSC 2017 at Abu Dhabi in October.

The team - representing students from public and private skills training institutions - will be competing in 20 out of 54 categories, coordinated by both the Human Resource Ministry and the Works Ministry.

Ambitious target

The categories include automobile technology, beauty therapy, cooking, mechatronics, web design, electrical installation and welding.

In his opening speech, Human Resource minister Richard Riot said that Malaysia had participated in the WSC since 1993 and bagged its first bronze medal in the hairdressing category last year.

"Malaysia's top participants in ASC 2016 has been chosen to represent Malaysia in Abu Dhabi.

"Based on our performance at the ASC, I am confident that the target of five medals and at least one gold medal will be realised," he said.

Richard also said participation in the WSC is a key part of the government's initiative to produce high skilled labour, and success at the WSC will be a benchmark for skills training in Malaysia.

Also present at the event were the Malaysian contingent, Works Minister Fadillah Yusof, Deputy Works Minister Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin and Deputy Human Resource Minister Ismail Mutalib.