GEORGE TOWN, February 9 — Human Resources Minister Steven Sim has reaffirmed that a uniform minimum wage of RM1,700 nationwide is the most suitable approach for now, despite calls for a state-based or regional model. He said the ministry’s technical committee had considered various wage structures over the past year but decided that a standardized rate would be the most effective at this time.
Sim acknowledged concerns raised by the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM), which suggested a localized wage model to better reflect economic differences across states. However, he emphasized that the methodology for wage revisions is continuously reviewed, and all feedback from stakeholders will be considered for future adjustments.
The new minimum wage, which increased by RM200 from RM1,500, officially took effect yesterday, with the National Wages Consultative Council affirming consensus among government, employers, and employees.
