PRIME Minister Anwar Ibrahim said interns at government-linked companies (GLC) will now be paid a minimum monthly allowance of RM800.  

He noted that interns are graduates but some companies either paid them a low wage or nothing at all. 

“It’s true that they undergo exposure and training at companies, but if they come from underprivileged families, it’s hard for them to support themselves or their families. 

“To set a good example, the Finance Ministry has (instructed) all GLCs hiring students undergoing practical training or internships to pay them at least RM800 monthly,” he said during his keynote speech prior to the Budget 2024 consultation programme at the Finance Ministry today. 

Anwar, who is also the finance minister, said a form six student had suggested this during a recent dialogue. 

He, however, did not announce when this would come into effect but urged the private sector to pay interns an allowance. 

Last June, Anwar had suggested that companies should give interns an allowance to cover their travel and food expenses rather than expect them to go unpaid. 

However, he said this would be left up to companies and the government would not fix a policy on it as internships were not forced. 

“The government will not determine a clear policy because this is an internship programme that cannot be forced. 

“And if more companies take interns, the better for our youth,” he said in his speech at the event held at the Securities Commission in Mont Kiara. 

Earlier in February, Malaysian Employers Federation president Syed Hussain Syed Husman reportedly said that making it compulsory for companies to pay interns would discourage employers from offering internships. – July 14, 2023.