Economy Minister Akmal says RM2,000 minimum wage decision rests with PM Anwar in Budget 2027

Any decision on a possible increase in the minimum wage to RM2,000 should be left to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s announcement when tabling Budget 2027, Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir said. — Bernama pic

First Published: Monday, 28 Sep 2026 2:14 PM MYT

KLUANG, Sept 28 — Any decision on a possible increase in the minimum wage to RM2,000 should be left to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s announcement when tabling Budget 2027, Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir said. 

He said the impact of any adjustment, particularly on micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), would also need to be taken into consideration to ensure employers could sustain higher operating costs.

“We are taking into account several segments and how implementation can be balanced so that we can continue to look after our workers while ensuring the sustainability of employers, particularly small businesses and MSMEs,” he told reporters after visiting the Kluang District Police Headquarters (IPD) quarters here today.

Akmal Nasrullah said this when asked to comment on economists’ views that raising the minimum wage to RM2,000 could lead to higher prices for goods and services.

He said the government was taking into account the different segments of employers in considering any adjustment to the minimum wage.

He also said that the Federal Government had allocated RM127 million under Rolling Plan 1 (RP1) of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) for the repair and maintenance of police quarters and stations nationwide.

Akmal Nasrullah said the allocation included an additional RM5 million through a Notice of Change (NOC), bringing the total allocation to RM127 million from the original RM122 million.

Of the total, RM44.35 million was allocated for the repair and maintenance of police stations, while RM77.65 million was for the repair and maintenance of 3,716 quarters nationwide.

For Kluang, he said RM3.7 million had been allocated, including for upgrading 10 blocks of quarters and repair works at Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) premises under the administration of the Kluang District Police Headquarters (IPD).

“This approach ensures development allocations are targeted at actual needs and have an impact on public service delivery,” he said. — Bernama