PM Anwar Ibrahim sympathises with journalists earning low salaries after 10 years, calls for fair pay and comprehensive report from minister
KOTA KINABALU: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has expressed sympathy for media practitioners receiving low salaries despite long service.
Speaking at a breakfast session with Sabah journalists, Anwar acknowledged their grievances about compensation not matching their experience.
He expressed surprise that some senior journalists with over a decade of experience still earn around RM2,000 monthly.
“Media now is not like before because there is a lot of competition from social media, but I feel that if someone has worked for 10 years, is already a senior, and the salary remains so low, I’m sympathetic,” Anwar said.
The Prime Minister noted that some media companies secure substantial contracts and record impressive profits.
He pledged to persuade media companies to provide fair and just compensation for journalists.
Anwar described salaries around RM2,000 after ten years of service as completely unacceptable.
He has requested Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil to prepare a comprehensive report on journalist pay in Sabah.
The report will explore solutions including potential incentives for media companies to increase salaries or allowances.
Anwar emphasised the need to address this issue amid rising living costs nationwide. – Bernama
