GEORGE TOWN | The Sony manufacturing plant in Penang, which has been making audio products such as the Walkman for the export and local markets, is set to close next September, after 36 years in operation.
State International and Domestic Trade Committee chairman Halim Hussain said with Sony’s impending closure of its plant in Perai, close to 3,400 workers will be laid off.
Speaking to FMT, he said 1,800 of these workers are locals. The other 1,600 are foreigners.
“Some of these employees will be transferred to Sony’s factory in Bangi. The state government will be helping those who have been retrenched to find new jobs,” he added.
Although Sony has yet to release a statement, Halim said the plant will be closing in stages and will fully cease operations next September.
“This is part of Sony’s plan to restructure its operations globally.”
He believed that the closure is a necessary transitory process, given the fierce competition in the multinational manufacturing industry.
Halim said that with the state drawing RM10 billion in foreign direct investments (FDI) this year, more than 9,000 jobs will be generated in the near future and there was hope for those retrenched.
“The state government will not leave these retrenched workers stranded. With the 9,000 jobs generated, there will always be work for them to find.”
FMT is reaching out to Sony Malaysia for comment.
