Azmin’s minimum wage comments a ‘betrayal’, says Kula

PETALING JAYA: Former human resources minister M Kula Segaran has taken international trade and industry minister Azmin Ali to task for saying that increasing the minimum wage could hurt small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), calling his comments a “betrayal” of the people.

Yesterday, Azmin was reported as saying the government needed to consider the state of small businesses still reeling from the pandemic as well as the informal sector before making any decisions on increasing the minimum wage from RM1,200 a month.

In response, Kula accused him of “reneging” on the promise of yearly minimum wage increases that was part of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) manifesto that Azmin had used to get elected in the last general election (GE14).

“How many times shall he betray the voters who voted for him,” the Ipoh Barat MP said in a statement.

Kula then stressed the implications of any delay in increasing the minimum wage.

“Ministers like Azmin, who are not on the ground, will fail to understand the plight and sufferings of the people.

“The rising prices of goods has rendered the current minimum wage inadequate to sustain the livelihoods of these workers, does Azmin understand this simple fact?”

Failing to adjust the minimum wage rate would have serious consequences, Kula continued, such as causing a greater dependence on foreign labour, pushing talents to work abroad, and forcing youths to turn to jobs in the gig economy.

“I, therefore, urge Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob to intervene and reprimand this irresponsible statement by the minister.

“The prime minister should bring this matter before the Cabinet and quickly resolve it for the benefit of all Malaysians.” — Free Malaysia Today