Hoping for more subsidies: Shahrizul (left) and Liew.
GEORGE TOWN: Their income may be higher than the B40 group but middle-income families still feel squeezed by steep prices and left out of critical government aid.
Specifically, some M40 couples have shelved all thoughts about raising families and their biggest headaches are about maintaining their health and having healthcare security.
Mother-of-two Mastura Mohamad, 29, said her income, combined with that of her husband, puts them in the M40 bracket, but their family expenses make it nearly impossible to save.
“Our joint income adds up to around RM6,000 to RM7,000 a month.
“It may sound like a good amount, but we have two young children. For now, my mother is caring for them, but it is not fair on her so we must eventually seek childcare,” said the civil servant.
Recently, she was stunned when she found out about the high cost of preschool.
“There will be additional expenses once they go to these centres.
“Our grocery bill comes up to RM600 every month and it does not even include baby diapers and milk formula.
“We tried getting cheap diapers, but the quality was really poor,” she said.
Although she has health insurance, Mastura opts to visit government clinics.
She said because she works, government clinics would suggest that she buy her medicines at private pharmacies.
“When I was pregnant, I was told to get vitamins from the pharmacy,” she said, adding that she and her husband have decided not to have any more children.
On the upcoming Budget 2025, Mastura feels that the government needs to implement economic strategies that will ease the strain on the M40 group, particularly for working mothers and young families.
“Subsidised food and better options for childcare will make it easier for families like ours, with two working parents,” she said.
Newly-wed Shahrizul Muiz, 31, said he hopes the next federal budget will focus on healthcare for the M40.
“Healthcare has a greater impact overall, especially for the M40. If you ask people about their experiences with government and private healthcare, most would agree that private hospitals provide better treatment and care.
“This means needing to have insurance coverage and extra savings in case of an emergency.
“The M40 income may be a pay grade above the B40, but it is not much higher,” he said.
The special officer said improving the public healthcare system so that Malaysians feel confident choosing a government hospital over a private one would help all groups of people.
Shahrizul, who earns a basic salary of RM5,500 and whose wife works, said “there are financial matters to consider before having a child. Also, not all couples have a family support system to help raise children".
“Offering similar subsidies for both B40 and M40 households will make a world of difference,” he said.
Lawyer Ben Liew, 26, has just begun working and is glad to have an income of RM5,000 before deductions, but admits that it’s hard to juggle his spending while preparing for the future.
“I am just starting to build my life and can see how expensive some things are. It will be great if the M40 group is given some incentives in next year’s Budget, especially for those starting out,” he said.
Liew said he hopes the government would offer subsidies for basic living expenses and housing.
“When you are slightly above the B40 category, you lose out on quite a bit on incentives,” he added.
While he has medical insurance, he wishes for better government healthcare for all.
