.jpg)
PAPAR: The national minimum wage, currently under review by the Federal Government, should be set within a range of between RM1,700 and RM3,100 to ensure fairness across different sectors, said Sabah Indian Muslim Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Nasor Yusof.
He said having a minimum wage range would allow employers to determine salaries based on factors such as workers’ experience, skills and qualifications.
He said the proposed merit-based approach could create a win-win situation for both employers and employees.
“If the minimum wage of RM1,700 is increased to RM3,100, many business sectors would incur higher operational and management costs, and I am positive that many would not be able to afford such a high minimum wage.
“Just imagine, if restaurant workers, including those making drinks and working as waiters and waitresses, are paid RM3,100 a month, I think food prices, especially for roti canai, murtabak and teh tarik, would have to be increased. Consequently, consumers would feel the pinch and complain,” Nasor said.
He was commenting on the current national minimum wage of RM1,700, which took effect in August 2025 and is undergoing review under the National Wages Consultative Council Act 2011.
The review is conducted every two years, with decisions and further measures expected to be announced during the tabling of the 2027 National Budget this Friday (Oct 9).
Labour groups, including the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC), have been pushing for higher living-wage targets of up to RM3,100.
Speaking to Daily Express at his restaurant here recently, Nasor said the Chamber’s members were not against a review of the national minimum wage but hoped the Government would set a rate that benefited all sectors.
He said job scopes and employment requirements differed across sectors, with some professional positions requiring specialised skills, qualifications and years of experience, while some menial jobs required little or no experience or formal qualifications.
Hence, he said, setting the minimum wage within a range of RM1,700 to RM3,100 would be appropriate, allowing employers to determine workers’ salaries, including those of existing employees, based on their skills, experience and qualifications.
In addition, he said the approach would be fairer to long-serving workers, as some may have received lower salaries despite having worked in the same position for years.
