{
  "id": 9269773,
  "title": "Belanjawan 2027 perlu tangani isu gaji rendah, kata bekas Ahli Parlimen",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/belanjawan-2027-perlu-tangani-isu-gaji-rendah-kata-bekas-ahli-parlimen",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-23T04:27:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/bahasa/tempatan/2026/09/23/belanjawan-2027-perlu-tangani-isu-gaji-rendah-rakyat-kata-bekas-mp"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former Malaysian MP Charles Santiago from the DAP has called for the 2027 budget to address low wages and the fact that the public has yet to reap the benefits of economic growth. According to a study by the Khazanah Research Institute, 70% of Malaysia's population does not feel the impact of economic growth. Santiago also cited data from the Department of Statistics showing that two out of every three wage earners in Malaysia work in semi-skilled or low-skilled jobs, with median wages of RM2,223 and RM1,758 respectively. While Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth and foreign direct investment have increased, Santiago argued that the public will not enjoy prosperity unless wage growth keeps pace with the rising cost of living. \"The economy may grow, but their household finances should also improve,\" Santiago said in a post on X, once serving as the Klang MP for three terms. He urged the government to introduce a serious wage strategy, strengthen social protection, and take action against the rising cost of living, rather than a one-off or token cash handout. Santiago emphasized that October 9 should mark the day when making housing prosperity the foundation of the economy is prioritized. On August 23, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the 2027 budget would prioritize steps to reduce the pressure from rising living costs, noting that the budget's preparation would take various factors into account, including global crude oil prices.",
  "summary": "Charles Santiago gesa strategi gaji lebih menyeluruh bukan 'sekadar langkah atau sekali pengumuman sahaja'.",
  "key_points": [
    "Former Malaysian MP Charles Santiago calls for 2027 budget to address low wages.",
    "70% of Malaysia's population does not feel impact of economic growth, study shows.",
    "Santiago urges government to introduce serious wage strategy and strengthen social protection."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Belanjawan 2027 perlu tangani isu gaji rendah, kata bekas Ahli Parlimen",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/belanjawan-2027-perlu-tangani-isu-gaji-rendah-kata-bekas-ahli-parlimen-9275524",
        "published": "2026-09-23T04:27:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}