{
  "id": 13901022,
  "title": "Hamzah warns of inequality in exempting MSMEs from RM2,000 minimum wage",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/hamzah-warns-of-inequality-in-exempting-msmes-from-rm2-000-minimum-13901022",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-12T06:11:12.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/10/12/hamzah-warns-of-inequality-in-exempting-msmes-from-rm2-000-minimum-wage"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Opposition leader Hamzah Zainudin has expressed concerns that granting exemption to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) from the RM2,000 minimum wage will lead to inequality in the workforce. During a debate on the 2027 budget in the Dewan Rakyat, Hamzah pointed out that companies with an annual turnover below RM50 million would continue to pay their workers the current minimum of RM1,700, while larger businesses would have to offer a higher minimum wage of RM2,000. He called for a uniform minimum wage across all workers, along with aid or incentives for struggling employers. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced that MSMEs with annual sales below RM50 million would be exempted, but Hamzah argued that the RM300 difference between the two wage levels could encourage MSME workers to seek higher-paying jobs, making it harder for smaller employers to retain their staff. He questioned the reduction in income tax for MSMEs, stating that it wouldn't be beneficial for companies that haven't yet made a profit. Hamzah suggested that funds for MSME incentives should be provided through the Social Security Organisation to help small employers raise salaries while maintaining productivity. He proposed a one-percentage-point corporate tax exemption for three years for non-MSME companies that increase employee wages to the new minimum level. Hamzah emphasized that a government that addresses the concerns of MSMEs is one that is willing to share the burden of transition costs for a few years until productivity can support higher wages.",
  "summary": "Opposition leader calls for a uniform minimum wage for all workers alongside aid or incentives for struggling employers.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Hamzah warns of inequality in exempting MSMEs from RM2,000 minimum wage",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/hamzah-warns-of-inequality-in-exempting-msmes-from-rm2-000-minimum",
        "published": "2026-10-12T06:11:12.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Hamzah: RM2,000 minimum wage exemption risks creating two-tier workforce",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/hamzah-rm2-000-minimum-wage-exemption-risks-creating-two-tier",
        "published": "2026-10-12T07:30:18.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}