Nice to meet you: Anwar, flanked by his deputies Ahmad and Steven Sim, greeting the crowd as he arrives for the Budget 2024 Consultation programme in Putrajaya.
PUTRAJAYA: Government-linked companies (GLC) offering internship positions will be required to pay a RM800 minimum monthly allowance to their interns, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. “Interns are graduates but some companies either pay them a low wage or none at all.
“It’s true that they undergo exposure and training at companies but if they come from underprivileged families, it’s hard for them to support themselves or their families.
“To set a good example, the Finance Ministry has set that all GLC’s hiring students undergoing practical training or internships have to pay them at least RM800 monthly,” he announced during his keynote speech prior to the Budget 2024 Consultation programme at the Finance Ministry here yesterday.
Anwar, who also holds the Finance Minister portfolio, said the step came following a suggestion by a Form 6 student during a dialogue session with students previously.
“Although we take input from economy experts, students can also give good suggestions,” he said.
At a press conference later, Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan said he hoped GLCs would implement the minimum allowance for interns with immediate effect.
“The same applies to GLCs currently employing interns.
“The sum is important for transportation, food and lodging costs as well as giving them some spare allowance,” he said.
He noted that there were also some GLCs already providing an allowance, but did not reach RM800.
When asked on whether the announcement would impact GLCs, Ahmad said it would only be minimal.
“This is because there are only a selected number of interns there,” he added.
Ahmad said the government was also mulling developing a framework to look into the issue of internship allowances.
“It is a good suggestion and that’s something we can look into.
“At least it provides a guideline to companies hiring interns,” he said.
