Any decision on a possible increase in the minimum wage to RM2,000 should be left to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s announcement when tabling Budget 2027, Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir said.
He said the government also needed to consider the impact of any adjustment, particularly on micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), to ensure employers could manage higher operating costs.
‘We are taking into account several segments and how implementation can be balanced so that we can continue to look after our workers while ensuring the sustainability of employers, particularly small businesses and MSMEs,’ he told reporters after visiting the Kluang District Police Headquarters (IPD) quarters today.
Government weighing impact on employers
Akmal Nasrullah was responding to economists’ views that raising the minimum wage to RM2,000 could result in higher prices for goods and services.
He said the government was considering the different categories of employers when assessing any potential adjustment to the minimum wage.
The minister said the government was seeking to balance support for workers with the ability of employers, particularly smaller businesses and MSMEs, to sustain higher operating costs.
RM127 million allocated for police facilities
Akmal Nasrullah also said the Federal Government had allocated RM127 million under Rolling Plan 1 (RP1) of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) for the repair and maintenance of police quarters and stations nationwide.
The allocation includes an additional RM5 million through a Notice of Change (NOC), bringing the total to RM127 million from the original RM122 million.
Of the total allocation, RM44.35 million was set aside for the repair and maintenance of police stations, while RM77.65 million was allocated for the repair and maintenance of 3,716 police quarters nationwide.
RM3.7 million for Kluang
For Kluang, RM3.7 million has been allocated for various works, including the upgrading of 10 blocks of quarters and repairs at Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) premises under the administration of the Kluang District Police Headquarters.
‘This approach ensures development allocations are targeted at actual needs and have an impact on public service delivery,’ he said.
