PROTÉGÉ-RTW ON TRACK TO REACH 1,600 PARTICIPANTS BY 2028

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 5 (Bernama) -- A target of 1,600 participants for the PROTÉGÉ-RTW (Ready to Work) programme, a collaboration between Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and local industry players, is expected to be achieved by 2028, according to Kemalak Marine Sdn Bhd.

Its chief executive officer Lt Cmr (R) Mohd Faizal Ab Aziz said that so far, 760 individuals have joined the programme across three intake sessions.

He said PROTÉGÉ-RTW is part of KAI’s contractual obligation in supplying the FA-50M Block 20 aircraft to the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF), with Kemalak Marine as the programme organiser.

“All participants have been placed in the Kemalak group of companies, government agencies and various other companies, including small and medium enterprises. Some have even shown outstanding performance and have been absorbed as employees,” he told Bernama after the closing ceremony and certificate presentation for the 3rd Series of the 2024 PROTÉGÉ-RTW programme, held here today.

Mohd Faizal said Kemalak Marine is ready to assist companies, particularly international firms awarded government contracts, that are unable to fulfil their contractual obligations in organising the PROTÉGÉ programme.

“This will allow these companies to obtain a green code, making it easier for them to participate in future government tenders in Malaysia,” he said.

Also present at the event were Defence Ministry deputy secretary-general (development) Dr Mohd Bakhari Ismail and Malaysia Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) programme management head Sung Il Yoon.

The Defence Ministry signed a contract to purchase 18 FA-50M Block 20 aircraft from KAI at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2023 (LIMA'23) in May 2023, with the first batch of the light fighter jets expected to be delivered next year.

Kemalak System Sdn Bhd, part of the Kemalak group of companies, serves as the technical consultant for KAI in Malaysia.

-- BERNAMA