KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysian professionals could earn significantly higher working in neighbouring Singapore compared to just a median income of around RM6,000 here, according to a study, highlighting a stark wage disparity that Putrajaya is seeking to address through targeted tax incentives and wage growth initiatives.

Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R Ramanan said in a written parliamentary reply that data from the Statistics Department’s 2025 wage survey placed the median monthly wage for professionals in Malaysia at RM6,124 ($1,430).

By contrast, a study by government agency TalentCorp showed that a majority of Malaysian professionals employed in Singapore earn between SG$4,001 (RM12,773) and SG$7,000 (RM22,348) per month.

“A 2024 study conducted by Talent Corporation Malaysia Berhad (TalentCorp) titled Push and Pull Factors Influencing Malaysians to Work in Singapore and Proposes Relevant Policy Recommendations found that 94.5 per cent of respondents cited higher salaries and better earning potential as the primary factor attracting them to work in Singapore,” the minister said.

The earnings gap is most pronounced in high-tech sectors, he added, with TalentCorp finding that skilled Malaysian professionals in Singapore can command monthly salaries exceeding SG$10,000 (RM31,926), particularly in information technology.

The Anwar government has deployed a progressive wage policy model designed to uplift workers earning below RM5,000 a month to curb talent outflow and boost local compensation.