M’sian ICT salary grows 7.2% in 2013, lags Asian counterparts

Woon Tai Hai, Pikom’s research committee chairman, says in addition to the threat of brain-drain caused by a disparity in remunerations, there is the issue of declining computer science graduates, including the challenges of unemployment amongst ICT fresh graduates due to misalignment of skills and expectations of employers.

KUALA LUMPUR: The average pay of ICT professionals in 2013 rose 7.2% to RM7,152 from RM6,673 in 2012, and is expected to grow at an even higher rate in 2014, according to Pikom, the national ICT association of Malaysia.

“Given the positive local economic growth outlook, we anticipate that a further 8.7% growth in salary for the ICT industry is achievable by the end of 2014,” said Pikom chairman, Cheah Kok Hoong.