BY: ASYIKIN NASIR

In Budget 2025, Malaysian prime minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that the minimum wage level would be increased from RM1,500 to RM1,700 on February 1, 2025 and for smaller companies on August 1, 2025.

Not everyone in the country was happy and pleased with the announcement, especially employer’s, who cited that it will be a burden to them while employees lauded the increase as timely and of great help in the current economic situation.

In comparison with other countries around Asean, the minimum wage level being increased to RM1,700 is at a healthy level and should be satisfactory to everyone, both employers and employees.

Human capital must be safeguarded, and while profits are the bottom line for most businesses, it is essential that the people or employees who make profits must be valued and cherished and be given top priority.

Otherwise, how else can a business prosper, how else can a company thrive and be profitable? Giving an appropriate wage is important as an incentive and motivation to workers in an organisation.

It is hoped, with this new minimum wage level of RM1,700, it will act as a booster to spur economic growth and all the other announcements and news in Budget 2025 would cause and create changes for the better in Malaysia.

-THE MALAYSIA VOICE

** The views expressed on this opinion is of the writer and not the publisher