{
  "id": 9938790,
  "title": "Anwar signals fairer bonus distribution in 2027 Budget",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/26/anwar-signals-fairer-bonus-distribution-in-2027-budget",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-26T08:03:47.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/09/1541585/anwar-signals-fairer-bonus-distribution-2027-budget"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced plans to review how bonuses are distributed between CEOs and lower-paid workers in Malaysia's 2027 Budget. Anwar stated that he has seen instances where CEOs received bonuses equivalent to eight months of salary, while workers received only two months. Anwar expressed disagreement with this disparity and proposed a balanced approach, suggesting that both CEOs and workers should receive a three-month bonus. The prime minister emphasized that this change is part of the government's broader effort to ensure a fairer distribution of benefits from company performance and profits. Anwar acknowledged that CEOs are generally rewarded with high salaries and substantial bonuses for their leadership roles, but he stressed that the difference between executive remuneration and workers' earnings should not widen excessively. He provided an example of a CEO earning RM40,000 a month compared to a worker in basic services earning RM2,000. Anwar mentioned that the government has taken a similar approach in reforming the public service salary structure, with lower-paid civil servants receiving larger increases. He reiterated that fairness does not mean equal pay for all, but rather ensuring those who need greater support receive appropriate attention. Anwar highlighted that addressing the wage gap is crucial as Malaysia seeks to ensure rising productivity and corporate profits translate into better living standards for workers. The prime minister also stated that the government remains concerned about companies recording high profits while maintaining relatively low wage levels. Further wage-related measures are expected to be announced in the 2027 Budget, which is scheduled to be tabled on Oct 9.",
  "summary": "SHAH ALAM: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the government was reviewing how bonuses are distributed between chief executives and lower-paid workers.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Anwar signals more measures to boost wages in 2027 Budget",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/26/anwar-signals-more-measures-to-boost-wages-in-2027-budget",
        "published": "2026-09-26T07:05:37.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Kuskop channels nearly RM10b to 270,000 entrepreneurs as of August, seeks bigger Budget 2027 allocation, says minister",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/26/kuskop-channels-nearly-rm10b-to-270-000-entrepreneurs-as-of-august",
        "published": "2026-09-26T07:11:02.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}