Ada PMKS pendapatan bawah RM50 juta naik gaji minimum RM2,000, kata persatuan

Persatuan Pedagang dan Pengusaha Melayu Malaysia, Perdasama, has welcomed the government's decision to exempt micro, small, and medium enterprises (PMKS) with annual sales under RM50 million from the implementation of the new minimum wage of RM2,000 per month, starting June 2027. Azamanizam Baharon, Perdasama's president, stated that they voluntarily agreed to raise their employees' minimum wage, despite not falling into the high-income category.

The organization believes the government's decision is rational and practical, considering the current reality faced by PMKS, especially among Bumiputra entrepreneurs who are struggling to stabilize cash flow, cover operational costs, and maintain competitiveness. However, some Perdasama members have voluntarily decided to increase the minimum wage to RM2,000 even if their company does not fall into the high-income category.

During the 2027 Budget Announcement, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced the increase in minimum wage from RM1,700 to RM2,000 per month, which is expected to benefit over four million workers. However, PMKS with annual sales less than RM50 million are exempted from the new minimum wage to give them the flexibility to adapt their business models.

Azamanizam hopes that the basis for the minimum wage should be evaluated comprehensively by considering the size of the company, the economic sector, productivity, financial capacity, and the current economic situation. He believes that implementing the minimum wage will not only impact business, particularly in terms of payroll, but also lead PMKS to reduce hiring, freeze job opportunities, and increase product and service prices.

Perdasama hopes the government continues to strengthen the support ecosystem for PMKS through easier access to financing, productivity enhancement incentives, automation, digitalization, and workforce training. The organization believes that these measures are crucial to ensure the wage increase is supported by stronger productivity and business performance growth.