Zahid Hamidi: Johor to Introduce RM4K Starting Salary for Skilled Workers with Diploma, RM5K for Degree

The launch of the Johor Talent Development Council (JTDC) has made Johor the first state in Malaysia to establish a council solely focused on talent development.

According to BERNAMA, Johor will be the first state to offer premium salaries for skilled workers, with minimum wages of RM4K for diploma holders and RM5K for degree holders.

“A solid move to build skilled workforce”

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who’s also the Minister of Rural and Regional Development, spoke on the importance of the Johor Talent Development Council (JTDC) launched by the Johor State Government.

He called it a solid move to build a skilled workforce ecosystem in the state, showing Johor’s commitment to workforce development.

He shared that the JTDC is set to boost support for technical and vocational education (TVET) and open up high-skill job paths, which will help bring in premium wages, especially in the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ).

No other state has done this yet

Zahid also pointed out the wage gap for job seekers in Johor, where Malaysia’s minimum wage is RM1.7K, while in Singapore, it’s around 1.5K SGD (about RM5,290).

The move to set premium wages, like RM4K for diploma holders and RM5K for those with a Malaysian Skills Certificate (SKM) equivalent to a degree, is a step Johor is taking to stay competitive.

They’re building partnerships to boost job placements and hands-on training

Zahid, who heads the National TVET Committee, pointed out that Johor has around 100K job openings right now, including 74K high-skilled roles in the Johor Special Economic Zone. Out of those, only 52K have been filled.

To help bridge the gap, Johor’s Talent Development Council (JTDC) is working to adjust education and training to fit what industries actually need.

The Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA) and Social Security Organisation (Socso), together with Johor’s government, set up a three-day career carnival, aiming to help fill these roles with 15K job openings on offer.

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