In May 2022, Malaysia increased the national monthly minimum wage from 1,200 ringgit to 1,500 ringgit. While this is still less than a living wage, the move was nonetheless welcomed by labour rights activists and working class Malaysians alike. 

However, there are some who feel that a national minimum wage isn’t necessarily the right approach to the minimum wage problem, to begin with. Kevin Zhang, Research Officer, Malaysian Studies Programme, ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, is one such person. He joins us on the show today, to discuss. 

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