A “MALAYSIANISATION” programme is being mulled by the government to provide a RM500 pay raise for locals employed in the various sectors, says Datuk Awang Hashim.

       “We are looking at implementing an attractive ‘Malaysianisation’ programme with an incentive of RM500 as additional wage for locals.

       “This sum represents an increase of 20% of their wages,” the Deputy Human Resources Minister said when replying to a supplementary question raised by Datuk Abdullah Sani Abdul Hamid (PH-Kapar).

       Awang said the proposal is still under study following the transition towards endemic phase with borders reopening again.

       He said the proposed RM500 incentive will see an increase of the workers’ basic pay to between RM1,700 and RM2,000.

       However, the deputy minister did not elaborate on the details.

       “If implemented, the initiative will run concurrently with the existing Wage Subsidy Programme, aimed at assisting employers in retaining their workers,” he said.

       On another matter, Awang urged locals seeking employment abroad to do so through licensed recruitment agencies.

       He said the lure of higher salaries is a motivating factor.

       “The minimum pay in Australia is A$20.33 an hour, which is equivalent to RM84.28, while the minimum pay an hour in South Korea is US$8, equivalent to RM33.16.”

       Awang said recruitment agencies involved in recruiting locals to work abroad must be registered with the ministry.

       He said agencies that breach the regulations could be fined up to RM200,000, and face a maximum of three years’ jail time.

       So far, he said the ministry has yet to receive any reports against recruitment agencies.

       Earlier, Datuk Shabudin Yahaya (PN-Tasek Gelugor) told the House that a local journalist with a Malay daily had gone undercover to work in a farm in Australia recently following claims of forced labour affecting Malaysian workers.