HUMAN Resources Minister V. Sivakumar said the Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli has a right to state his view on what is good for the country, although wage issues and policies are under the purview of the Ministry of Human Resources. 

He added that the government was indeed studying the fairness of implementing the progressive wage model, with his ministry set to present the issue to the National Economic Action Council (NEAC) in August. 

“The wage issue is indeed under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Human Resources. Rafizi, as the Minister of Economy, has the right to state what is good for our country. 

“In addition, we are both members of the NEAC. We will discuss what is the best mechanism for our country,” he told reporters after a working visit to the Industrial Training Institute today. 

Sivakumar was commenting on a statement made by Malaysian Employers Federation president Syed Hussain Syed Husman, who said Rafizi should share plans to spur the economy instead of plans for progressive wage increases that were to be handled by the Human Resources Ministry. 

He said the government was studying other salary models, apart from the current minimum wage policy. 

“After the presentation, perhaps we will decide on what’s next. We are looking into it, but we have not yet decided. Progressive wage is a good model, but we need to look at it in a holistic manner,” he said. – Bernama, July 13, 2023.