KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 18): The government has mandated that the new RM1,200 monthly minimum wage be implemented on Jan 1, 2020 in 57 cities and towns across Malaysia.
In releasing the list of 57 cities and towns that will be affected yesterday, (listed below), the Ministry of Human Resources (MoHR) said in a statement that the minimum wage would remain at RM1,100 a month in areas that are not considered part of these cities and towns.
"The hourly and daily minimum wage rate, as well as for workers that are paid by piece rate, commission, tonne and task, will be detailed in the new Minimum Wages Order," said the ministry.
The implementation of the minimum wage of RM1,200 a month in major urban areas, and RM1,100 a month in areas outside those, is based on their work place, which, as defined under Section 2 of the Employment Act 1955 (Act 265), the Sabah Labour Ordinance (Chapter 67) and the Sarawak Labour Ordinance (Chapter 76), is wherever work is carried out by employees for their employers.
The minimum age remains applicable for all employees in the private sector, the ministry said, except for domestic servants, as maintained in the Minimum Wages Order 2018.
The ministry noted that the decision to increase the minimum wage for workers living in these major towns is meant to help workers deal with high living costs, adding the rate will be consistently reviewed to ensure it is in line with the needs of the time.
"It is also in line with the [government's] wish to achieve a minimum wage of RM1,500 a month within the first five years of the Pakatan Harapan administration," the ministry added.
The towns and cities that will be affected by the new minimum wage:
- Bandaraya Johor Bahru
- Bandaraya Iskandar Puteri
- Bandaraya Alor Setar
- Bandaraya Melaka Bersejarah
- Bandaraya Pulau Pinang
- Bandaraya Seberang Perai
- Bandaraya Ipoh
- Bandaraya Shah Alam
- Bandaraya Petaling Jaya
- Bandaraya Kuala Terengganu
- Bandaraya Kuching Utara
- Bandaraya Kuching Selatan
- Bandaraya Miri
- Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu
- Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur
- Bandar Batu Pahat
- Bandar Kluang
- Bandar Kulai
- Bandar Muar
- Bandar Segamat
- Bandar Pasir Gudang
- Bandar Kulim
- Bandar Sungai Petani
- Bandar Langkawi
- Bandar Kubang Pasu
- Bandar Kota Bharu
- Bandar Alor Gajah
- Bandar Jasin
- Bandar Hang Tuah Jaya
- Bandar Seremban
- Bandar Nilai
- Bandar Port Dickson
- Bandar Jempol
- Bandar Kuantan
- Bandar Temerloh
- Bandar Bentong
- Bandar Manjung
- Bandar Kuala Kangsar
- Bandar Taiping
- Bandar Teluk Intan
- Bandar Kangar
- Bandar Ampang Jaya
- Bandar Kajang
- Bandar Klang
- Bandar Selayang
- Bandar Subang Jaya
- Bandar Sepang
- Bandar Kemaman
- Bandar Dungun
- Bandar Padawan
- Bandar Sibu
- Bandar Kota Samarahan
- Bandar Bintulu
- Bandar Sandakan
- Bandar Tawau
- Bandar Labuan
- Bandar Putrajaya
