KUALA LUMPUR: A government backbencher has criticised the RM600 to RM700 monthly salaries reportedly paid to around 9,500 teachers at PAS-operated preschools, saying the wages are in clear violation of the national minimum wage law.
Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad (PH-Setiawangsa) said the justification that Pusat Asuhan Tunas Islam (Pasti) teachers were volunteers was unacceptable as it is not in line with regulations under the National Wages Consultative Council (Amendment) Act 2025.
"Among the attractions, besides promoting Islamic education, are the low fees.
"However, there have been many complaints about Pasti not adhering to aspects such as the syllabus and teacher's remuneration," he said during the debate on the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday (Aug 11).
The Human Resources Ministry had announced that the Minimum Wage Order 2024 took effect on Aug 1, 2025, setting a minimum wage of RM1,700 per month for employers with fewer than five employees not engaged in professional activities classified under the Malaysian Standard Classification of Occupations 2020.
Nik Nazmi also urged the government to consolidate existing government-run preschool services – currently managed separately by the Education Ministry, Community Development Department (Kemas) and the National Unity Department – into a more streamlined national programme.
He added that the practice also denied the teachers contributions to the Employees Provident Fund and Social Security Organisation.
In response, Mohd Syahir Che Sulaiman (PN-Bachok) said that although the teachers' salaries are low, other allowances were provided despite them working only four hours a day.
Nik Nazmi also welcomed the government's plan to make pre-school compulsory at the age of five and to focus on providing facilities in rural areas.
