By social activist Remy Majangkim
KOTA KINABALU: Former Bank Negara Malaysia governor Tan Sri Muhammad Ibrahim has pointed out that real wages in Malaysia have plummeted nearly threefold over the past forty years (as reported by NST on May 4, 2025).
Ideally, our fresh graduates should be earning between RM6000 and RM7000 each month as a baseline salary. Unfortunately, the harsh reality is that many of these graduates only make between RM1500 and RM3000, and that is if they are lucky enough to secure a job that is genuinely related to their field of study.
With such low starting salaries, their chances for upward mobility are severely limited, often trapping them in the middle-income bracket for years, if not decades. The situation becomes even more complicated with the added financial burdens of starting a family, managing credit card debt, and purchasing essential items like a car and a home.
Economists and bankers are increasingly worried about this trend, citing several reasons for the stagnation. A major issue is the country’s heavy reliance on cheap labour, which has led to significant challenges over the years. Malaysia’s dependence on this model has become counterproductive, undermining the quality of the working environment as quantity has taken precedence over quality.
Perhaps the most pressing concern lies with the state of education in Malaysia. The current educational system tends to produce employees who strictly follow instructions and fear making mistakes, inadvertently promoting a herd mentality that suppresses creativity and initiative.
At a recent town hall meeting organised by SABAR, we explored the pressing issue of education in Sabah. It became clear that Sabah has immense potential, yet there is significant opportunity for advancement in comparison to other regions in the country.
Sarawak has made significant strides to ensure a sustainable future for its generations. The State recognises the importance of the English language in its education system, which aligns with the Malaysia Agreement of 1963. Additionally, Sarawak offers immediate employment opportunities for students in fields they choose to study, without any quota restrictions. Overall, these measures reflect Sarawak’s commitment to a sustainable future.
Sabah needs to revive its educational autonomy through the Sabah Education Ministry. This ministry should be led by a qualified educator rather than a politician. The appointed individual should have the freedom to initiate both short-term and long-term programmes for the state, taking inspiration from the practices of its sister state, Sarawak.
We need to acknowledge our strength and bravery to break the devastating karmic cycle. Our children are our future; moving forward means taking initiative today.
