For some in Selangor, the richest state, their incomes are enough to keep their families going, with a little to spare. Elsewhere, those with less income say they need to tighten their belts.
Nor Mimi Rahman, 43, a teacher in Selangor, and her husband have a total household income of RM8,000 a month. It is enough to cover their mortgage, loans, food for a family of five, and necessities for their son studying in a vocational school.
“We can save, but not much, especially when there are things that come up suddenly sometimes,” she told FMT.
Alicia Netto, 23, a digital marketer who earns around RM3,000, has a monthly expenditure of RM1,500. She said she manages to set aside a small amount after paying the bills and helping to support the family.
“It’s a bit tight but I do save a little,” she said, adding that she hopes the federal government will continue with its Rahmah cash aid scheme, which helps to reduce her burden.
In Kedah, vegetable trader Safarin Saad, 32, said he works two jobs in order to earn about RM3,200 a month to provide for his family. During the day, he delivers vegetables for a supplier, and in the evenings, he sets up shop in wet markets to sell the vegetables that were undelivered.
“I spend about RM2,000 monthly for my home expenses, which includes my bills and my car payment,” the father of two said.
Safarin said government aid such as the Rahmah scheme comes in handy during emergencies, including when he has to take his children to the clinic.
Aiman Ridhwan Abdullah, 19, a restaurant cook in Gurun, makes only RM1,200 a month, of which more than half goes to paying bills and other expenses.
“I can’t save because I also have to spend about RM50 per week for petrol, so I’ll have to keep rolling the balance (from my salary) every month,” he said.
A hawker, who asked to be identified as Hafiz, 37, from Batu Kikir, Negeri Sembilan, said higher costs and lower purchasing power have affected his business and that of other traders.
He said the price of raw materials is generally higher in the outlying areas, with transport costs added in.
Restaurant owner Samsul, 52, from Sendayan, believes that the government had done well in tackling the cost of living, but said many restaurants were forced to close in the past eight months as the number of customers had reduced.