Cost of living in Sabah higher, not lower – Wong

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Employers Association (SEA) hopes to bring down the cost of doing business in Sabah.

SEA president Datuk Seri Panglima Wong Khen Thau said this was the main role of SEA which was registered with the Registrar of Societies in Sabah on Aug 25, 2016.

He said they hoped Malaysia would one day have one price throughout the country, including Sabah.

He said it was ironic that despite the higher living costs in Sabah, the minimum wage in the State was lower than Peninsular Malaysia.

He said the minimum wage was determined by the prices of essential goods in Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia.

“Of course, the prices of fish and vegetables in Sabah are lower than in Peninsular Malaysia, hence the assumption that Sabah is cheaper,” he said.

“(And) it is not true the cost of living in Sabah is lower. This is a misconception.”

He added that SEA hoped to reduce the cost of doing business in Sabah and bring about the realisation of the 1Country 1Price and address the imbalances.

Members of the SEA comprise trade organisations and companies in Sabah who have realised and recognised the value of joining forces for support and protection amid an increasingly complex and challenging business and labour environment.

The primary objectives of SEA include lobbying for relevant employment policy issues and legislation; promote and protect the interest of members in matters relating to employment; to study, analyse and disseminate information relating to employment policy, employment management relations, collection bargaining; to offer advice concerning various aspects of employment, personnel management and policies; to liase with union government and initiate steps that are representative and legislative in nature; and to provide employer representation at industrial tribunals on wages and working conditions.