Tamil New Year And Vasakhi New Year Message By DAP Secretary-General And MP For Bagan Lim Guan Eng In Kuala Lumpur On 14.4.2012.
Monthly Minimum Wage Of RM 1,100 Inclusive of Allowances, Must Be Accompanied By Accelerated Structural Reforms in Our Economy, Create More Higher Productivity Jobs, And Increasing Women Participation In The Work Force.
Malaysians have high expectations of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announcing the long-awaited minimum monthly wage of RM 1,100 (inclusive of allowances) on May Day. Even though the Prime Minister was forced to do so to counter Pakatan Rakyat’s demands to face the coming general elections, DAP would welcome any announcement by the Prime Minister of RM 1,100 monthly minimum wage, inclusive of allowances.
However the minimum wage alone will not bring about a higher standard of living nor economic growth but may instead bring about inflation. To bring about economic prosperity and a higher standard of living requires a RM 1,100 minimum wage to be accompanied by the 3 measures of accelerated structural reforms in our economy, create more higher productivity jobs, and increasing women participation in the workforce.
Malaysian is in sore need of structural economic reforms to make our us more competitive, transparent, efficient as well as reduce leakages caused by wastage and corruption. Structural economic reforms such as open competitive tenders, full disclosure of contracts and personal assets of Ministers as well as a performance-based delivery system must carried out.
Creating more higher productivity jobs depends on how excellent our education system and its ability to build more human talents. The denial syndrome by Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyidin Yassin that Malaysian education system is in crisis is only surpassed by his false sense of hubris that our education system is superior to Germany, United Kingdom and United States. Unless we can inject merit and performance back into our education system, Malaysia risks being left behind by neighbouring countries such as Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam
Increasing women participation in the work force may be facilitated by a minimum wage. However, expanding and deepening women’s participation to higher levels of expertise can only be achieved when there is no gender discrimination in salaries and promotion opportunities.
Malaysians hope that the Prime Minister will not disappoint them and take the first step of announcing the minimum wage on 1 may 2012 before undertaking the 3 above measures.
LIM GUAN ENG
———Mandarin Version ——-
民主行动党秘书长兼峇眼区国会议员林冠英于2012年4月14日在吉隆坡发表淡米尔及锡克人Vasakhi新年献词：
每月1100令吉的最低工资（含津贴） ， 必须伴随经济结构改革加速、制造更高生产力的工作、并增加女性劳动力。
马来西亚人高度期望首相拿督斯里纳吉在五月宣布每月1100令吉的最低工资（含津贴）。虽然首相被迫这么做是为了反击民联的要求，迎接大选。行动党还是欢迎首相宣布每月1100令吉的最低工资，包含津贴。
虽然单靠最低工资并不会提高生活水平或经济成长，反而可能带来通货膨胀。如果想要取得经济繁荣和更多的生活素质，每月1100令吉的最低工资（含津贴） ， 必须伴随经济结构改革加速、制造更高生产力的工作、并增加女性劳动力。
马来西亚亟需经济结构改革，以让我们更加具竞争力、透明及有效以及减少挥霍及贪污造成的浪费。经济结构改革如公开招标、公布合约内容、公布部长个人财产以及推行绩效制。
在制造高生产力的工作方面，取决于我们的教育制度和它是否能够栽培更多人才。教育部长丹斯里慕尤丁的鸵鸟心态，不仅不承认我国教育制度面临危机，还错误傲慢地说我们的教育制度胜过德国、英国及美国。除非我们在教育制度重新贯彻绩效及表现，否则我们可能落后领国如：泰国、印尼及越南。
女性劳动力可能会随着最低工资政策而增加。但是，唯有在没有性别薪金歧视及升职机会差歧视的情况下，才能扩大及让更多女性晋身专业的领导高层。
马来西亚人希望首相不会让他们失望，并且在2012年5月1日，在采取上述三个措施前，首先宣布最低薪金。
林冠英