The Graduates Statistics 2020 survey by the Department of Statistics of Malaysia (DOSM) showed the mean monthly salaries and wages received by graduates was RM4,489. This is lower than the RM5,020 received in 2019.
Meanwhile, graduates aged 24 and below received a mean monthly salary and wages of RM1,949 in 2020 compared to RM2,367 in 2019. The reason cited was the lack of work experience.
In 2020, the 25-34 years age group received mean monthly salaries and wages amounting to RM3,371. This is lower than the mean monthly salaries and wages for this group in 2019, which amounted to RM3,955.
However, DOSM notes that the monthly mean salaries and wages for graduates in all sectors exceeded RM3,000 in 2020 with the highest being in the Mining and Quarrying sector (RM6,962) followed by Services (RM4,621) and Construction sectors (RM3,990). The mean monthly salaries and wages for graduates in Manufacturing and Agriculture sectors were RM3,889 and RM3,229 respectively.
A similar situation was observed for graduates aged 25 to 34 years whereby mean monthly salaries & wages received in all sectors was above RM3,000. The highest was in Mining & Quarrying sector followed by Services and Manufacturing sectors.
The data also showed that graduates aged 35 and above received higher mean monthly salaries and wages between RM4,000 to RM10,000 in line with the longer work experience.
There are several reasons why salaries remain low for graduates and others. We always tout ourselves as a low-cost economy. Employers are also resistant to higher salaries because revenue streams are restricted in the current market environment. Skill sets are more for the old economy and there is little appreciation for new fields of science for example. If you have a master’s in medical physics from UCL, your starting salary is still around RM 3000, same as someone from a local university with a first degree. Why? Employers and clients don’t really appreciate the foreign exposure. In addition, other medical professionals don’t see this route as any better or useful. In fact, local doctors don’t see them as professionals but mere technicians for the devices they use for their diagnosis or operation. That’s not the case in a more developed economy. Hence, you are focused on just getting by with no real hope of a great future--- developing new devices or methods in your field. Alas, that’s the sad state in Malaysia. So, many leave for Australia, Singapore or the U.S. and we have the temerity to ask why? If you remain, then you could follow the Kelantan Government’s advice!!
Reference:
Lower mean monthly salary and wages for graduates during the pandemic, Focus, The Star, 10 April 2022 (https://cdn.thestar.com.my)
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