Follow Johor’s lead on RM4,000 graduate pay, ex-MP tells state

Follow Johor’s lead on RM4,000 graduate pay, ex-MP tells state


2 hours ago
FMT Reporters


DAP’s Charles Santiago says other states should study Johor’s efforts to raise salaries of graduates and create more attractive career pathways for young workers

Former Klang MP Charles Santiago said Johor’s premium wage plan is timely, noting that over 900 students skipped the SPM in February, with some choosing higher-paying jobs in Singapore instead.
PETALING JAYA: Former Klang MP Charles Santiago has called on other states to emulate Johor’s premium wage initiative, saying it could help retain Malaysian talent and reduce the attraction of higher-paying jobs abroad.

Santiago lauded Johor menteri besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi’s move to set starting salaries for fresh graduates at RM4,000 and above.

He noted that the Johor Talent Development Council (JTDC) facilitated 7,773 job placements between January and April this year, in contrast to Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, which recorded job losses of 25.6% and 29.3%, respectively.


“Johor’s premium wage initiative comes at the right time,” he said in a series of X postings, citing reports that more than 900 students skipped the SPM examination in February, with some opting to work in Singapore for better pay.

“At a time when many young Malaysians are leaving for better opportunities elsewhere, we welcome efforts that focus on better wages and stronger career pathways at home.


“The premium wage initiative should not remain a Johor policy. It should become a model for other states seeking to retain talent and build a more competitive workforce.”

On Thursday, Onn Hafiz announced that fresh graduates in Johor could now earn salaries of RM4,000 and above under the state’s premium wage initiative, while technical and vocational education and training graduates could earn between RM4,000 and RM5,000 or more, depending on their qualifications and skills.

He said the increase in wages was driven by investor commitments under the Johor Singapore Special Economic Zone facilitated through JTDC.

Santiago acknowledged that some might view the initiative as being politically motivated ahead of elections but said its impact should be the main consideration.


“Some will view this as an election-year policy. That’s fair. But if it helps retain talent, raises wages, and creates better opportunities for young Malaysians, that is a positive development, regardless of politics.

“Now let’s see which parties have a bolder plan or explain why young Malaysians deserve less,” he said.