He said the government’s move to review the public service remuneration system sent a clear message to the private sector not to prioritise high profits at the expense of employees.

“Young people and graduates are asking about their future in the private sector. Hence, the progressive wage policy will be introduced,” he said in a live address to the nation last night.

On May 1, Anwar announced that public servants would receive a salary increase of more than 13% starting in December.

Meanwhile, he said that with local industries, especially the semiconductor sector, being given added value, the new industrial master plan targets a minimum monthly income of RM4,500 for manufacturing industry workers by 2030.

He said that to develop more skilled local talent, the government is collaborating with industry giants to restructure the country’s technical and vocational education and training courses.

“The country’s first artificial intelligence faculty is being established at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia with networks in all AI disciplines, science centres and universities nationwide,” he said.

He added that Khazanah Nasional is also driving efforts to create new entrepreneurs in high-growth sectors with a RM1 billion fund.