Human Rights and JUSTICE requires consistency - and thus DAP and LIM GUAN ENG just made a BIG MISTAKE/FUMBLE and hopefully will correct it soon. Has DAP forgoten about EQUALITY of Persons, and the prohibition of DISCRIMINATION? Have they forgotten of the basic 'EQUAL PAY EQUAL WORK' - means that all workers that do the same work deserves the same pay, the same employment benefits.
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NOW, disappointingly, DAP is advocating DISCRIMINATION based on nationality...What happens if some other country discriminates Malaysian migrant workers - Approximately 1.86 million Malaysians live and work abroad, representing about 5.6% of the country's total population, approximately 60% in Singapore > so, if DAP advocates discrimination based on NATIONALITY in Malaysia, that means that if this 1.86 million Malaysian MIGRANT workers can also discriminated based on Nationality, IT IS OK? Then DAP cannot say anything about these Malaysians ...can they?
DAP advisor Lim Guan Eng today called on the government to exclude foreign workers from any increase in Malaysia’s minimum wage,..
... immediate abolition of the mandatory two per cent Employees Provident Fund (EPF) contribution for foreign workers,
When it comes to BASIC or FUNDAMENTAL Human Rights - there is NO COMPROMISE - you cannot say VIOLATE the rights in Malaysia, but we oppose violation of RIGHTS in some other countries.
EQUALITY of persons - and NO discrimination are HUMAN RIGHTS - and it is also acknowledged in Malaysia's Federal Constitution - and United Nations Declaration of Human Rights, other UN Documents and INTERNATIONAL LAW
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Article 1
All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights....
Article 7
All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination.
Malaysian FEDERAL Constitution
Article 8(1) (1) All persons are equal before the law and entitled to the equal protection of the law.
Do not forget that Malaysia had ratified the Equal Remuneration Convention (No. 100),...where it also states that '...the term remuneration includes the ordinary, basic or minimum wage or salary and any additional emoluments whatsoever payable directly or indirectly, whether in cash or in kind, by the employer to the worker and arising out of the worker's employment;...'
The employer's contribution to the worker's account in EPF/KWSP is clearly a worker's benefit under this definition of 'remuneration' - so too will contributions to SOCSO/PERKESO
# As it is Malaysia is discriminating against MIGRANT Workers - when the employer contribution is just 2% when local workers get 11-12%? The employee benefit is the EMPLOYER's contribution - it is OK to keep certain classes of workers contribution to zero or lesser percentage. The Employer Contribution that will benefit an employee is the EMPLOYMENT BENEFIT - and in Malaysia that is based on income for work. So is this NOT a violation of the EQUAL PAY FOR EQUAL WORK principle
DAP's position of DISCRIMINATION based on Nationality is MOST DANGEROUS - it opens the door to discrimination based on ethnicity, on religion, on ... that is why we must always advocate for EQUALITY OF PERSONS (Malaysia Constitution says this - NOT equality of citizens) - thus DAP and/or Lim Guan Eng may have violated Malaysia's Constitutional Guarantee...???
“Truth, justice and freedom must not be mere words but core principles that must be upheld to ensure prosperity for all.” - Lim Guan Eng, DAP Chairman
And DAP's objective says - about workers, not just Malaysian workers
No one in DAP spoke against Guan Eng's statement - and this was MOST DISAPOINTING because in the PAST, DAP and its politicians stood up and fought for HUMAN RIGHTS and WORKER rights
REFUGEES and UNDOCUMENTED MIGRANTS - a BERSATU Position?
Recently, it was a BERSATU MP -
An opposition lawmaker today urged Putrajaya to take a tougher stance on refugees and undocumented migrants, claiming the rakyat were fed up with what he described as a seemingly endless problem....a nationwide crackdown on undocumented migrants, including mobilising military personnel to assist the Immigration Department in arresting and deporting them.On this matter, some quick comments to Radzi Jidin and BERSATU
dNote Malaysia under PM Anwar is at present under global condemnation following the sending back to Myanmar about 10,000 (including refugees) despite knowing that the CONFLICT is ongoing against ETHNIC Minority Groups, and pro-democracy forces > around 100,000 said to be killed.
THUS, the statement by a BERSATU MP about refugees and undocumented migrants - that Malaysia should arrest, even using the Military,...is APPALLING
* Are you considering REFUGEES and UNDOCUMENTED migrants the same? So, is PN for the arrest and deportation of even REFUGEES back to their home countries? Are you saying that Malaysia should violate the principle of non-refoulement and international law?
* With regard to UNDOCUMENTED migrants - how many are really victims of HUMAN TRAFFICKING? How many came to Malaysia as documented migrants - and now remain as undocumented migrants - and WHY is that when employer should have arranged for their transport back home?
Are these workers remaining in Malaysia because they have cheated/deceived by their employers/agents - 'come to Malaysia to work' - and when they come no work or different work with different (not agreed wages) or after working ready to back BUT employer still have not yet paid wages/OT and monies owed > and note that for workers to claim RIGHTs, they must be physically present in Malaysia - claims lodged at the Human Resource/Labour Department or Industrial Relations Department mandatorily require physical presence of the worker claimant - the moment that you are ABSENT - your case/claim is cancelled?
VICTIMS of Human Trafficking > Some migrant workers 'cheated' of their promised monies may chose to remain in Malaysia to work and earn first before going back to their country of origin - where debt-collectors may be waiting because many paid agents/etc a lot of money to come to Malaysia to work.
THUS, the main PROBLEM or Cause of PROBLEM for many migrant workers was brought about by the Malaysian LAWS/Practice-Policies forcing them to be undocumented migrants - or they could be victims of human trafficking?
ANTI-TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS AND ANTI-SMUGGLING OF MIGRANTS ACT 2007 - Section 2
"trafficking in persons" means all actions of recruiting, conveying, transferring, acquiring, maintaining, harbouring, providing or receiving, a person, for the purpose of exploitation, by the following means:
(a) threat or use of force or other forms of coercion;
(b) abduction;
(c) fraud;
(d) deception;
(e) abuse of power;
(f) abuse of the position of vulnerability of a person to an act of trafficking in persons; or
(g) the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to obtain the consent of a person having control over the trafficked person;
"exploitation" includes all forms of sexual exploitation, forced labour or services, slavery or practices similar to slavery, servitude, any illegal activity or the removal of human organs
Thus if migrant workers are deceived to come to Malaysia to work based on fraud/deceptions including promises that they will work at this place/occupation, receive so much wages and benefits, and for a term of at least 5 years...then when they arrive in Malaysia, all NOT TRUE - that makes these migrant workers VICTIMS of Human Trafficking
If the employer after the workers have worked fails to pay the wages, OT, work on rest days - and get rid of them > then would they not again be VICTIMS of HUMAN TRAFFICKING too besides workers whose rights have been violated.
Malaysia have wrongly FOCUSED on just that Migrant Workers, after their work permits ends should leave Malaysia back to the country of ORIGIN > that is very very wrong because GOVERNMENT should also ensure that migrant workers to be sent home HAVE no outstanding claims against their EMPLOYERS and/or others noting that access to justice mechanism requires PHYSICAL presence in Malaysia, and ONLY the Malaysian Court has jurisdiction to deal with their claims.
So, Radzi Jidin and BERSATU - are you just interested in getting them out of Malaysia > and NOT bothered that they may have cheated and their rights violated? IF SO, do you not believe in Human Rights and JUSTICE?
Now, when it comes to HUMAN RIGHTS - one should VOTE for political parties that take a principled stance of RESPECT and Promote > that means being consistent and not changing positions as DAP just did, when he proposed anti-human rights actions for FOREIGN Migrant workers shamefully...and then BERSATU - that even asked government to use MILITARY..
Lim Guan Eng says foreign workers should be excluded from minimum wage hike, calls for EPF levy repeal
- DAP chairman Lim Guan Eng urges the government to exempt foreign workers from any minimum wage increase to protect local MSMEs from rising operating costs.
- Lim argues that the minimum wage increase should apply only to Malaysian workers and calls for abolishing the mandatory EPF contribution for foreign employees.
- He stresses the importance of supporting domestic enterprises and preventing policies that may weaken the competitiveness of Malaysian businesses.
GEORGE TOWN, Sept 29 — DAP advisor Lim Guan Eng today called on the government to exclude foreign workers from any increase in Malaysia’s minimum wage, arguing that the move would help protect local businesses, particularly micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), from rising operating costs.
In a statement, Lim said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is expected to announce a revision to the minimum wage during the tabling of Budget 2027 on Oct 9, following the government’s assessment that wage growth has not kept pace with gains in worker productivity and corporate profits.
While acknowledging the rationale for higher wages, Lim said the prospect of a minimum wage increase has sparked concern among local businesses already grappling with intense competition, higher compliance costs and taxes, as well as price pressures from overseas producers.
He said MSMEs, which form the backbone of the domestic economy, are facing mounting challenges amid a sluggish economic environment and should be consulted before any policy changes are implemented.
Lim argued that any upward revision in the minimum wage should apply only to Malaysian workers, saying foreign employees should not benefit from the increase as they were hired under mutually agreed employment contracts.
He also renewed calls for the immediate abolition of the mandatory two per cent Employees Provident Fund (EPF) contribution for foreign workers, contending that the requirement imposes an unnecessary burden on employers without providing meaningful benefits to migrant workers.
According to Lim, exempting foreign workers from minimum wage increases and scrapping the EPF contribution requirement would help ease cost pressures on local businesses and safeguard the viability of approximately 1.2 million MSMEs nationwide.
He urged the government to prioritise the interests of domestic enterprises and ensure that policies designed to raise wages do not inadvertently undermine the competitiveness of Malaysian businesses.
* A previous version of the article incorrectly stated Lim Guan Eng's party position. It has since been corrected. - Malay Mail, 30/9/2026
Guan Eng wants foreign workers excluded from minimum wage hike
GEORGE TOWN: DAP adviser Lim Guan Eng wants the government to exclude foreign workers from any increase in the minimum wage.
In a statement on Facebook, Lim said the proposed revision, expected to be announced when Budget 2027 is tabled on Oct 9, should take into account the pressures faced by micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had said the current RM1,700 minimum wage was expected to be raised, with details to be announced when 2027 Budget is tabled.
Lim said any increase should not apply to foreign workers, arguing that local employers had hired them based on previously agreed employment contracts.
"Any increase in the minimum wage must not benefit foreign workers, in order to defend and protect the interests of Malaysians and Malaysian businesses," he said.
Lim also wants the mandatory 2 per cent Employees Provident Fund (EPF) employer contribution for non-Malaysian workers to be scrapped, saying the measure placed an additional burden on local employers and MSMEs.
Under current EPF rules, non-Malaysian citizen employees and their employers each contribute 2 per cent of monthly wages. The requirement took effect from wages for October 2025, with domestic workers excluded.
Lim said the government should engage with businesses, particularly MSMEs, before implementing any increase amid concerns over rising operating and compliance costs.
His call comes as the government considers a possible increase in the minimum wage.
Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir had said the government was considering the impact on employers, particularly MSMEs, and the need to balance workers' welfare with business sustainability.
Anwar had said wage growth had lagged behind productivity growth in Malaysia and that the government would introduce measures to ensure fairer wages in 2027 Budget. - NST, 30/9/2026
Get tough on undocumented migrants, refugees, consider deploying military - PN MP
PARLIAMENT | An opposition lawmaker today urged Putrajaya to take a tougher stance on refugees and undocumented migrants, claiming the rakyat were fed up with what he described as a seemingly endless problem.
Debating the Budget 2027 Bill, Radzi Jidin (PN-Putrajaya) proposed a nationwide crackdown on undocumented migrants, including mobilising military personnel to assist the Immigration Department in arresting and deporting them.
"I suggest the government launch a massive nationwide operation to arrest undocumented migrants and deport them to their countries of origin.
"We know some may argue that the Immigration Department does not have enough personnel to carry out such an operation.
"For this purpose, I propose that the entire government machinery be mobilised through a whole-of-government approach, as we did during the Covid-19 pandemic.
"This could include deploying military personnel to rid the country of undocumented migrants," Radzi (above) added.
The Bersatu leader also urged the government to empty immigration detention depots nationwide as soon as possible by deporting all detainees to their countries of origin.
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He said this would send a clear message to the international community and human trafficking syndicates that Malaysia was serious about tackling the issue.
Radzi claimed that the public had long complained about problems associated with the large number of refugees and undocumented migrants, with many viewing the situation as a never-ending problem.
The former minister also said the actual number of undocumented migrants in the country was unknown, alleging that the situation was compounded by "treacherous" civil servants who facilitated human trafficking activities.
Radzi warned that the country would be "destroyed" if the government failed to effectively stem their entry, including by imposing stricter policies on the employment of migrant workers.
Be firm with UNHCR
Turning to refugees, he called on the government to take a firmer stance towards the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), including by asking the agency to stop registering new refugees in Malaysia.
He said it was unfair for the international community to leave Malaysia to shoulder the burden of hosting some 225,000 registered refugees, while only a small number were resettled in third countries."This effectively puts Malaysia in a trap.
"Has the government exerted sufficient pressure on the UNHCR to ensure that as many registered refugees as possible are resettled in third countries?" he asked.
On July 23, Putrajaya has directed UNHCR to temporarily halt all refugee registrations pending a restructuring of the government’s management system via the Refugee Registration Document (DPP) programme.
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According to The Star, Deputy Foreign Minister Lukanisman Awang Sauni (above) told the Dewan Negara that the decision was made to ensure that the management and registration of refugees in the nation are executed in a more orderly manner under government supervision.
“Through the DPP, the government can manage data in a more organised manner, including for data coordination, identity verification, monitoring, and regulation without relying on the records of any foreign entities,” Lukanisman added.- Malaysiakini, 19/10/2026
Migrants: Instead of screaming ‘army’, Radzi should go after the powerful
MPs should understand the root causes of the problem – greed, corruption, exploitation – instead of playing to the gallery.
Radzi Jidin wants soldiers deployed to arrest undocumented migrants and clear immigration depots through mass deportations.
But before we send in the army, we should ask: how does Malaysia produce irregular migration in the first place?
Let’s start with recruitment. While our law caps placement fees at one month’s wage, which is RM1,700, Bangladeshi workers routinely pay recruitment fees of between RM20,000 and RM30,000. That is nearly 12–17 times the legal limit, forcing workers to overstay to recoup their payment.
The 2026 US Trafficking in Persons Report flags that not a single employment agency in Malaysia was prosecuted under the Private Employment Agencies Act between 2025 and 2026.
More troublingly, it identifies official complicity as a significant concern. Even Radzi has acknowledged that civil servants assist traffickers.
So why are we proposing to send soldiers after the workers? Why aren’t we going after those who profit from and sustain this system?
Recruitment agents who impose crippling fees, employers who exploit undocumented labour, and officials who enable trafficking are the problem.
Deploy the army? Then deploy it against the employers, including GLCs, that knowingly hire undocumented workers. Deploy it against recruitment cartels that manufacture debt bondage, and against corrupt officials who enable labour trafficking.
If we are serious about reducing irregular migration, we must dismantle the lucrative recruitment-fee system that generates mega profits at the expense of migrant workers and perpetuates the cycle of debt bondage. Enforce a mandatory employer-pays principle and sign binding bilateral labour agreements with labour-sending countries.
MPs like Radzi need to understand the issues they speak about instead of playing to the gallery. Migrant workers are NOT the root cause of this crisis.
Greed, corruption, exploitative recruitment and unscrupulous employers are. Yet we continue to blame the workers while allowing the people who profit from exploitation to operate with impunity.
Malaysia has repeatedly faced international scrutiny and embarrassment over its poor labour migration governance. We simply cannot deport our way out of a system that we have failed to govern. So stop scapegoating migrant workers and start holding the powerful to account.
Charles Santiago is the former MP for Klang.
The views expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the position of MalaysiaNow. 20/10/2026
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