Deputy Finance Minister Amiruddin Hamzah has urged the public to give the federal government time to fulfil Pakatan Harapan's election pledge to raise the minimum wage to RM1,500.
"We still have a five-year term. We will work hard to ensure that minimum wage is as promised in our manifesto. It will be increased from time to time... give us time," he told reporters at the Parliament lobby today.
Yesterday, the federal government announced that minimum wage will be set at RM1,050 nationwide from Jan 1 next year, up from RM1,000 for Peninsula Malaysia and RM920 for Sabah and Sarawak.
Amiruddin said a key change in the federal government's policy was to standardise minimum wage for all regions.
He said Harapan's promise to raise minimum wage to RM1,500 was set based on incomplete data and that employers have asked for more time to meet the desired minimum wage levels.
"There are people who are comforted (by the postponement) and there are those who are disappointment.
“We hope they don't stay disappointed for too long because once the (global) market sees that Malaysia is more competent, accountable and transparent, the economy will improve.
"If everything goes well, employers will be able to pay more than the minimum amount set," he said.
The minimum wage policy was introduced by the Najib Abdul Razak administration in 2014. - Mkini
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