KUALA LUMPUR, March 9 ― The Sarawak state government has introduced a new scheme to lower unemployment among graduates in the state by equipping them with marketable skills.

Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem reportedly announced the Graduate Enhancement Training Sarawak (GTES) in Kuching yesterday, saying that the programme would boost graduates’ chances of securing jobs.

“GTES is an employability enhancement programme offered by the state government working with partners from the industry,” he was quoted as saying by the Borneo Post.

Graduates will be attached as GTES interns at partner companies for 12 months, where they will be provided courses in English, soft skills and self marketing skills.

They will be paid a training allowance of RM 1,000 for degree holders and RM800 for diploma holders.

Separately, Women, Family and Community Minister Datuk Rohani Abdul Karim reportedly said that there is no need for new laws to achieve gender equality in the country.

“For us, persuasive methods are more effective in the long run as we prefer to achieve our aims through cooperation and collaboration,” she was quoted as saying during an event in Kuching.

She said that current policies, including to ensure women fill up 30 percent of decision making positions, are “proceeding well.”