Sabah welcomes implementation of RM1,500 minimum wage

KOTA KINABALU - The Sabah government has welcomed the government's efforts in the implementation of the minimum wage from RM1,200 to RM 1,500 starting on May 1.

Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob's announcement in March on the matter was much awaited by the people who were affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, especially the low-income group.

"Although the salary increase only applies to businesses in the private sector with five or more employees, employers with less than five workers will have to pay RM1,500 minimum wage starting Jan 1, 2023.

"The increase in the minimum wage is a testament to the government's concerns towards the people especially after the Covid-19 pandemic," he said.

He said this after officiating a solidarity celebration organised by the Congress of Union of Employees in the Public and Civil Services Malaysia (Cuepacs), here, on Thursday night.

Also present at the event was Cuepacs president Datuk Adnan Mat.

He added that the government's effort in helping the people was supported through a cooperation with the civil servants to ensure that the development plans planned by the government specifically in Sabah ran smoothly for the benefit of the people.

He asked for the civil servants in the state to facilitate in the implementation of the developments in Sabah, especially the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) development plan that was launched in March, last year.

"Actually, there is still so much to be done. I am happy even though we have faced challenges due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Sabah's economy remains resilient, the state's economy is on track and showing signs of recovery.

“Under the SMJ development plan, Sabah recorded revenue of RM5.449 billion in 2021, the highest on record. In the first half of 2021, Sabah managed to attract RM4.4 billion foreign investment, making it the third highest after Kedah and Selangor.

"The major investment in manufacturing, tourism and agriculture is expected to create almost 10,000 job opportunities. We could expect that the opening of the country's borders on April 1 will revive Sabah's tourism sector," he said.

Hajiji said he hoped that all the civil servants will continue to strengthen their spirit of unity, belonging and friendship because it will be hard to realise the development without their support, commitment and cooperation.