15/05/2025

THURSDAY | MAY 15, 2025

READ OUR

HERE

6

Malaysian Paper

/thesun

Fresh grads lament wages failing to match living costs

‘AI not threat to job security’ KUALA LUMPUR: Artificial intelligence (AI) does not pose a significant threat to society as it cannot fully replace human tasks and instead serves to complement functions by enhancing speed, efficiency and overall productivity in the workplace, according to experts. Universiti Utara Malaysia School of Multimedia Technology and Communication dean Assoc Prof Dr Mohd Khairie Ahmad said even as AI develops, jobs will still be important. It is crucial to invest in training industry leaders and workers with better skills so that they can work with AI and add value, he said. “Jobs that are routine and repetitive are at risk of being disrupted by AI. These include roles such as customer service, data entry, telemarketing, accounting, medical analysis, legal research and manufacturing jobs.“ He said the Ipsos Predictions Survey ranked Malaysia among the countries most concerned about job losses caused by AI. The report found that 73% of Malaysian respondents believed AI would lead to significant job losses, compared with the global average of 65%, Bernama reported. The concern arises following several reports on job risks due to AI, including a forecast by the World Economic Forum that predicted that AI and automation could replace about 85 million jobs worldwide by this year. Mohd Khairie said many overlook the potential for new job opportunities created by AI, which would ultimately benefit a larger workforce, especially as the country is projected to require nearly 500,000 skilled workers in the technology and technical sector, underscoring the need for industry leaders and workers to upskill and reskill in AI. Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Engineering and Built Environment Faculty lecturer Prof Dr Sawal Hamid Md Ali said many might not expect that low-skilled workers, often seen as highly vulnerable to job displacement, could adapt to the technology to enhance their work efficiency. “Clerks could use AI to streamline their work, such as in drafting texts, letters and other documents, and graphic designers could leverage the technology to generate initial drafts and use their creativity to refine them. “The creative industry is said to be affected, which is debatable because human creativity holds greater value than AI-generated outputs. This technology serves merely as an alternative, to assist human tasks.“ He said the public should not worry about AI as it is creating various new job opportunities.

PETALING JAYA: Despite years of escalating living costs, Malaysian graduates feel their salaries have failed to keep up, leaving little room for savings or long-term planning. With starting salaries ranging between RM2,000 and RM3,000, many young workers find it hard to meet basic expenses, raising concerns about the fairness of their wages. Association of Chartered Certified Accountants affiliate Puteri, who wished to remain anonymous, shared that she expected a higher salary upon graduating, given the country’s improving economy and her professional qualifications. She said employers must recognise the value of diverse talent, offer fair pay based on skills and invest in training to foster growth. She also called for government policies that promote job creation, skill development and fair labour standards, which should be reviewed and updated regularly. Puteri also revealed that she has considered working overseas in pursuit of better pay, citing that employers abroad often place a higher value on their employees. Similarly, 26-year-old finance executive Nur Nafisah Hamdan said her salary has shaped her lifestyle choices. “With my current pay, I have adjusted by preparing home-cooked meals during the week and limiting spending on dining out or takeaways. As for rent, I have opted for an older, more affordable house, although it is not in my preferred location.” “The reality is harsh for many fresh graduates as their pay does not align with the cost of living in urban areas. Most job offers are based on the government’s minimum salary, which is RM1,700.” Nafisah urged employers to ensure salaries o Employers urged to ensure salaries reflect job requirements Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Nurul Haifaa believes Malaysia’s education system needs to shift towards developing skills that align with industry demands. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN

needs to shift towards developing skills that align with industry demands while employers must offer fairer pay to fresh graduates. “Employers need to stop taking advantage of fresh graduates and start giving us real opportunities. Enough with hiring only those with experience,” she said. She expressed hope that the government would intervene to control the cost of living and create policies that support youths in building a sustainable future. theSun reported yesterday that Malaysia’s minimum wage revisions have not kept pace with rising costs, negatively affecting low and middle-income households. Economists argue that the country’s focus on capital growth and low investment in research and development have hindered progress towards becoming a high-wage economy.

reflect job requirements and contribute to a healthy working environment. “Promotions and salary increments matter financially and for employee morale.” For journalist Nurul Haifaa Abdul Halim, 26, her salary is enough for the time being but with her wedding planned for the end of the year, she is starting to worry about future financial commitments. “True financial stability still feels out of reach. My savings are modest and often used for emergencies,” she said. “My salary of RM2,700 to RM3,000 is just enough to manage my expenses since I live with my family but it may fall short once I take on more responsibilities after getting married. “Buying a house seems unrealistic and even planning my wedding has made me reconsider due to the high costs.” She believes Malaysia’s education system

Education matters remain an important component of Malaysian society. Today the landscape is fast paced with new exciting developments in technology such as AI, coding, virtual reality, and cybersecurity, leading the way for changes in curriculum development. To showcase the latest and most updated content, we invite you join us in 2025, and be part of our Education Focus!

Contact us now for special deals on digital, video and print advertising. 03-7784 6688 advertise@thesundaily.com

Malaysian Paper