Malaysia aims to complete the establishment of the National Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Commission by the end of 2026. Legislation for this will be tabled in both the Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara, according to Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi [1, 2, 3].
The move follows the approval of the policy, but parliamentary approval is still pending due to legal considerations. Zahid stated, "Although policy approval has been secured, it still needs to be brought to Parliament because it involves legal matters" [1]. He also said, "Once these engagement sessions are completed, we will submit a Cabinet paper for approval. Although policy approval has already been obtained, approval to table the matter in the Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara is still being processed as it involves careful legal considerations" [3].
Engagement sessions and consultations with stakeholders about the commission’s establishment are ongoing to ensure broad support and input [1, 2, 3]. The National TVET Commission will replace the existing National TVET Council. It is intended to be a centralised body to coordinate and strengthen Malaysia’s skills ecosystem to produce highly skilled workers suited to industry needs [1, 2, 3]. Zahid underscored the commission's role, saying, "This committee not only concerns policy formulation but also the implementation and enforcement under established policies" [2].
Meanwhile, MARA oversees 270 TVET institutions nationwide and runs the MARA TVET Tour Programme, promoting TVET education across 36 of 191 locations. MARA TVET graduates have achieved an employment rate of about 99.5%, the highest so far, with an aim to reach full 100% employment [1, 2].
At a press event on July 5, 2026, Zahid announced the ongoing consultations and confirmed the plan to finalise the commission by year-end [1, 2, 3]. The government is expected to table the relevant legislation in Parliament once these processes are complete.
