Why Are So Many Malaysian Fresh Grads Unemployed & Underpaid?

Siti Aiysyah Tumin, Research Associate, KRI (Khazanah Research Institute) | Iskandar Fareez, Communications Director, REFSA

20-Apr-21 15:00

Why Are So Many Malaysian Fresh Grads Unemployed & Underpaid?

Pause
Embed

Latest reports show that at least 10% of Malaysian graduates have been getting a monthly income of between RM 10001 to RM 1500 since at least 2010. Yes, even graduates with Bachelor’s degrees. And if that doesn’t shock you, then perhaps this next stat will -- in 2020, a staggering 22% of fresh graduates with Bachelor’s degrees fell into this income bracket.

Some may blame the COVID-19 pandemic, others, the recent political turbulence. But some experts have suggested that this is a systemic problem that has been going on for far too long. On this episode, Siti Aiyshah Tumin and Iskandar Fareez joins us to share their insights on the matter.

Image source: Unsplash

Produced by: Dashran Yohan

Presented by: Dashran Yohan

This and more than 60,000 other podcasts in your hand. Download the all new BFM mobile app.

Categories: Personal Finance, Investments, Financial Literacy, Young Finance, Politics, Social Issues, law & legal matters, Education

Tags: The Bigger Picture, Live & Learn, fresh graduates, unemployment, underpaid, Malaysian job market, minimum pay wage, low income,

Today’s Shows

6:00 AM

The 6AM Stretch

Thought-provoking discussions on ideas, people and events shaping our lives.

7:00 AM

World Market Watch

David Dietze, Chief Investment Strategist at Dietze Wealth Management Group tells us where international markets are heading.

7:15 AM

Morning Brief

We recap global and local headlines from today's papers and portals.

7:30 AM

Morning Brief

Geetha Ranganathan, Senior Media Analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence shares her 2026 outlook for broadcasting and publishing companies in the US.

7:45 AM

Morning Brief

Dr Benjamin Loh, Monash University Malaysia talks about the government's banning of children 16 from using social media.

8:00 AM

The Breakfast Grille

Nicholas Lim Pinn Yang, CEO of Foodie Media Berhad talks about the company's upcoming listing on the ACE Market.

8:30 AM

Morning Brief

Faisal Aziz, Bersih Chairman, discusses the Sabah election campaign and measures to ensure it is fair and transparent.

8:45 AM

Morning Brief

Dr. Adrian Ang, Research Fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, discusses rising tensions around Taiwan with China and Japan and the geopolitical and trade implications for Asia.

9:00 AM

Opening Bell

(REPEAT) David Dietze, Chief Investment Strategist at Dietze Wealth Management Group tells us where international markets are heading.

9:15 AM

Opening Bell

(REPEAT) We take a look at the FBM KLCI as well as regional capital markets.

9:35 AM

The Property Show

Theebalakshmi Kunasekaran of the Khazanah Research Institute and Cindy Chew of Thrive Well discuss the aims of Malaysia’s PPR public housing programme, its evolution, and the lived experiences and social support needs within PPR communities.

10:05 AM

Open For Business

Fong Min Hun, Founder, LitBooks

11:00 AM

The Workplace

Gan Hua Choon, Country Manager, Robert Walters Malaysia

12:00 PM

Enterprise Explores

Thenesh Kannaa, Executive Director, TraTax

1:00 PM

The Breakfast Grille Repeat

Our flagship show, we feature both game-changers and groundbreakers in the hot seat.

2:05 PM

Discovery Hour

An eclectic selection of BBC shows, curated with variety in mind.

3:05 PM

Earth Matters

Experts from TRAFFIC and WWF-Malaysia explain the scale and complexity of Malaysia’s online shark and ray trade.

4:05 PM

Health & Living

How did a World No. 8 badminton player deal with an injury that set her back for months? Goh Liu Ying shares about the mental health struggles she faced.

5:00 PM

Top 5 at 5

6:00 PM

Big Issue

We speak to the Women's Aid Organisation about the need to eliminate violence against women

7:00 PM

Stories of KL

We speak to Isabella Pek about orchestras in Kuala Lumpur.

8:00 PM

Cruise Control

Daniel Fernandez, Managing Editor, dsf.my

PROGRAMMES