Petaling Jaya, Malaysia, 18 August 2026 – Malaysia is reviewing its RM1,700 minimum wage, opening a policy debate that reaches beyond the headline pay floor. The decision will test how the government balances workers’ rising living costs with productivity, employment and the financial capacity of employers.
Human resources minister R Ramanan said the review will be considered by the National Wages Consultative Council. The assessment is expected to examine the poverty line, median wages and other measures of basic needs, alongside inflation, labour productivity and the unemployment rate. That combination points to a formula intended to reflect both household realities and the operating conditions facing companies.
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