The MP said she found this figure “insulting”.

“The minimum wage rate recently introduced by the government is RM1,500. The foreigners who prepare our drinks at coffee shops earn up to RM3,000,” she said in her debate on the bill.

“But the ‘presumed monthly income’ for our housewives is only RM600. This is insulting.

“I would like to ask that we postpone (the passing of this bill), if possible, because this phrase is very insulting to our women and their work, despite the fact that the spirit of this bill is to protect them.”

Yeoh, who is a former deputy women, family and community development minister, also said if RM600 was seen as the presumed monthly income rate, then a housewife only earned RM20 per day.

“Therefore, I would like to ask the human resources ministry to amend the figure if possible.

“I support this bill but if we leave this phrase (presumed monthly income) in the Hansard, it will be very insulting to the community that we should be protecting.”

In reply, deputy human resources minister Awang Hashim said his ministry would revisit the term as it reviews the bill from time to time.

When asked about it by Wan Hassan Mohd Ramli (PAS-Dungun), he also said the ministry would consider an upward revision of the RM600 rate.

Under the SKSSR Bill, housewives who contribute to the scheme are entitled to medical benefits, permanent disability benefits, regular attendance allowance, survivor’s pension and funeral benefits.

The bill, among others, proposes that the maximum amount paid out for permanent disability be RM30,000.