The Port Dickson MP said while the amount “sounded good”, he wondered whether it would be realistic when taking into account the poverty and unemployment levels as well as the sluggish economic growth rate that has been forecast.

He went on to say that the average household income normally cited by economists was “confusing” as it included those in the top tier, such as those earning “billions of ringgit”, and those at the bottom, who may only be getting some RM500 per month.

“It would be better for the average household income to be based on the poverty rate,” he said when debating the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) in the Dewan Rakyat today.

Anwar then pointed to a statement by the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) recently, which said that 46% of its members below the age of 55 have less than RM10,000 in their accounts.

“Will their income suddenly surge?”

When tabling the 12MP yesterday, Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said Malaysia aims to become a high-income nation by 2025, with an average household income of at least RM10,000 a month.

According to the statistics department, as of August, the average monthly household income stood at RM7,089.

Anwar also agreed with Mohamad Sabu (PH-Kota Raja) who said that the salaries earned even by those in the private sector and graduates had dropped, while some professionals had migrated to Indonesia for greener pastures.

In elaborating on the issue of unemployment, the former finance minister added that the statistics department should also realise that there were those who worked only for a few hours a week and did not earn enough to support their families.

And despite this, they were considered to be employed.

“The amount (RM10,000) must be reviewed, especially during an economic slowdown.”