00:00Former KLANG MP Charles Santiago says Budget 2027 must address low wages
00:06and ensure economic growth translates into stronger household incomes and greater financial security.
00:14Citing a Hazana Research Institute study, Santiago said 70% of Malaysians were not experiencing the benefits of economic growth.
00:23He also cited Statistics Department figures showing two in three Malaysian wage earners work in semi- or low-skilled
00:32occupations
00:33with median wages of RM2,223 and RM1,758.
00:42Santiago said even with increases in GDP, gross national income and foreign direct investment,
00:49Malaysians will not experience prosperity if wages fail to keep pace with the cost of living.
00:56He called for a serious wage strategy, stronger social protection and action on living costs,
01:03arguing that one-off cash assistance could not solve what he described as a structural affordability crisis.
01:12With Budget 2027 due to be tabled on October 9,
01:16Santiago called for household prosperity to be placed at the centre of economic policy.
01:23On August 23, Communications Minister and Government Spokesman Fahmy Fazil said Budget 2027
01:30would prioritise measures to ease rising living costs.
01:35Fahmy stressed that the budget's preparation would take into account various factors including global crude oil prices.
01:44Roman Dawi Kapari, FMT
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