FRESH graduates are taking up part-time jobs to cope with Malaysia’s rising inflation as the economy rebounds after the Covid-19 lockdowns.

Malaysia’s inflation in May rose 2.8% to 126.6 against 123.1 a year ago. The increase surpassed the average inflation in the country for the period from 2011 to May 2022 (1.9%).

National statistics show those fresh out of universities earn an average of RM2,412, or RM900 above the minimum wage, but that is also dependent on qualifications, grades, skills and interview results.

This low entry to salary means many fresh graduates have had to supplement their income with other jobs.

Leven Tang, 22, a business graduate from Johor, said the salary she was offered upon graduation was a lot less than she expected.

“I was offered between RM1,500 and RM2,000,” she told The Malaysian Insight.

“So I had to start an online business while I was in college. Otherwise, my economic situation will be much worse.

“At the same time, I’m also teaching tuition. All in all, I now earn RM3,000.”

Despite having to supplement her income, Tang said it was still difficult to pay all her bills due to inflation and a hike in cost of food and insurance.

Teoh Show Tze, from Penang, works in digital marketing and earns RM3,000 a month, but it is still not enough.

“I found a job with a good starting salary, but it is still not enough because rent in Kuala Lumpur takes up most of my salary,” she said.

“When I didn’t have enough money, I decided to look for part-time jobs. I ended up finding a copywriting job.

“It was hard to juggle at first, but now I’ve got used to it.”

Since her company is in a hybrid working mode, to save money, she cooks at home.

As someone who is not savvy at saving money, Teoh said she gives part of her salary to her mother to “force” herself to save.

Another fresh graduate, Liew Wei Yong, said he decided to start his own business to make more money.

“Although starting a business is not easy, it is a better way to live,” Liew said.

“When inflation is high, the right thing to do is find ways to make more money to improve my living standards.”

Last month, the cabinet formed a Special Task Force on Jihad Against Inflation to help Malaysian families face the rising cost of living.

Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the main role of the task force is to gather all information from ministries, agencies and the public, and to formulate strategies and coordinate actions to resolve issues relating to inflation, especially in controlling price hikes more efficiently and effectively.

He said the move was taken following the rising cost of living faced by the people due to climate change and geopolitical uncertainties, including the Russia-Ukraine crisis, which is expected to drag on and affect fuel and food markets. – July 21, 2022.