PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia’s average disposable household income rose by 3.2% to RM7,584 in 2024, according to the latest Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES) 2024 Report.
“In terms of disposable income, the average monthly disposable household income increased by 3.2% to RM7,584 in 2024, while the median rose 5.1% to RM5,999. This represents 82.8% of total gross household income, indicating households’ ability to meet essential expenditure needs,” the report stated.
The report also highlighted that this rise in disposable income was accompanied by a gradual improvement in income distribution.
“Households in the Bottom 40 (B40) group, comprising 3.28 million households, had income of up to RM5,858,” according to the report, which was released yesterday.
The report comprises 33 official statistical publications, presenting comprehensive findings and analyses of the country’s socioeconomic landscape from the perspective of household income and expenditure.
It also noted that the median household income in Malaysia reached RM7,017 in 2024, growing by 5.1% annually, while the mean household income rose by 3.8% to RM9,155.
Income growth varied by state, reflecting diverse economic conditions, the report added.
Six states recorded median household incomes above the national level, with Kuala Lumpur at RM10,802, followed by Putrajaya (RM10,769), Selangor (RM10,726), Johor (RM7,712), Penang (RM7,386) and Labuan (RM7,383).
“Penang recorded the highest annual growth rate at 6.4% between 2022 and 2024,” the report stated.
The report also noted that the B40 group’s share of total national income rose slightly to 16.7%, up from 16.3% in 2022.
In contrast, the Top 20% (T20), who earned RM12,680 and above per month, saw their share decline to 45.1%, down from 46.3%. The Middle 40% (M40), earning between RM5,860 and RM12,679, made up a significant portion of the remaining income share.
At the event, Economy Minister Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan described HIES in his keynote address as a vital statistical instrument for measuring progress and improving the socio-economic status of Malaysian households.
“It is one of the main sources for shaping the country’s socio-economic and social policies, including poverty eradication programmes, increasing income, reducing income inequality, and addressing the cost of living,” he explained.
Amir Hamzah added that Malaysia has achieved a major milestone, with hardcore poverty nearly eradicated and reduced to just 0.09%.
“This reflects the effectiveness of various initiatives to increase people’s income, empower urban communities economically, and enhance public well-being, all of which will be continued by the government,” he said.
The Gini coefficient improved to 0.390 in 2024, compared to 0.404 in 2022, signalling a narrowing of income inequality.
The national absolute poverty incidence decreased from 6.2% in 2022 to 5.1% in 2024, representing about 416,000 households.
“Poverty in urban areas declined to 3.7%, while poverty in rural areas improved to 12%,” the report noted.
“The hardcore poverty incidence dropped to 0.09%, equivalent to fewer than 8,000 households earning below the Food Poverty Line Income (PLI),” it added
Overdue revision: Penang will increase quit rent in the state at the beginning of next year. — CHAN BOON KAI/The Star
This means they will be paying an additional 16sen per square metre following the state's decision to revise the quit rent rate which has not been reviewed for 31 years. To minimise the financial burden on the people, a 32.5% tax rebate will be provided next year, followed by a 20% rebate in 2027 and 2028.
GEORGE TOWN: Come Jan 1, about 370,000 land title owners in Penang will face an increase in their quit rent rate of between 29% and 200%, a move that has raised eyebrows.
This means they will be paying an additional 16sen per square metre following the state’s decision to revise the quit rent rate which has not been reviewed for 31 years.
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GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government will proceed with the second phase of iSejahtera payments for this year via electronic funds transfer to 9,405 recipients from Wednesday (Aug 6).
State social development, welfare and non-Islamic affairs xommittee chairman Lim Siew Khim (pic) said the disbursement, amounting to RM1,721,300, reflects a continued commitment to the people’s welfare.
She said Phase 2/2025 payments will only be made to new applicants who registered before June 30 each year, while applications received after that date will be processed for Phase 1/2026.
"For Phase 2/2025, the breakdown and number of recipients are as follows: the senior citizen appreciation schene covers 7,187 recipients totalling RM1,437,400; single mother assistance is for 317 recipients, amounting to RM317,000;
"The golden housewife appreciation scheme involves 1,280 recipients totalling RM1,280,000; and aid for persons with disabilities will be given to 621 recipients amounting to RM124,200,” she said in a statement on Tuesday (Aug 5).
Lim said the state government has disbursed RM53.83mil to 285,816 recipients across various categories under Phase 1 and Phase 2 from January to July.
This included RM41,987,600 for the senior citizen appreciation scheme to 209,938 recipients, and RM1,064,400 for single mother assistance to 10,644 recipients.
"Other categories comprise the golden housewife appreciation scheme with RM4,423,100 for 44,231 recipients; RM3,121,600 for 15,608 persons with disabilities; the Anak Emas one-off payment of RM540,200 to 2,700 recipients; and the one-off death benefit contribution totalling RM2,695,000 for 2,695 recipients,” she added.
She urged all applicants to promptly update their bank account details to ensure smooth disbursement for Phase 1/2026.
Further information on the iSejahtera programme can be obtained by contacting the Kemara Unit at 04-650 5699 / 5700, visiting the iSejahtera office on Level 44, Komtar, during working hours from 9am to 5pm, or registering online via the official portal. – Bernama
Shining Sun: Honouring Dr Sun at the 100th anniversary of his demise at the Sun Yat Sen Museum in George Town, Penang. (Below) Dr Yee sharing some of the stories he was told while growing up about Dr Sun, at the Sun Yat Sen Museum. — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star
GEORGE TOWN: They are both medical doctors who share the same birthday on Nov 12.
And just like Father of Modern China the late Dr Sun Yat Sen, octogenarian Datuk Seri Dr Yee Thiam Sun had embarked on a path dedicating his life to serving the people.
At 81, Dr Yee continues to work from his clinic in Lebuh Carnavon treating patients and offering consultations at a discounted rate.
The buck does not stop there as the calm and humble Dr Yee also wears many other hats being a Scout leader, JCI (Junior Chamber International) leader, St John Ambulance of Malaysia, Penang commander, UN Youth leader, senior logistician who has been actively involved in humanitarian logistics movements, holding the title of Fellow of LogM (FLogM/Senior Logistician) and the position of honorary president of LogM.
He has also been mentoring and providing opportunities to leaders, especially young ones, through his involvement with Scouts, St John, JCI, SMJKs, SJKCs, and other organisations.
Dr Yee was a King’s Scout (1961) and has received many awards from various organisations, including the government, Scouts and St John.
Datuk Seri Dr Yee Thiam Sun sharing the stories he was told growing up about Dr Sun Yat Sen, during the gathering of the 100th anniversary of his demise at the Sun Yat Sen Museum in George Town, Penang. (March 8, 2025) — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star.
The Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Penang had also conferred him the Darjah Gemilang Pangkuan Negeri (DGPN), which carries the title Datuk Seri.
Dr Yee recalled that his late grandfather had served as the Chinese political and revolutionary leader’s secretary while Dr Sun was in Penang.
“While growing up, my mother, whose birthday also fell on the same day as mine and Dr Sun’s, used to tell me about how Dr Sun had dedicated his life to serving and helping the people.
“Her stories had left a lasting impression on me and I too wanted to serve the people in some way or another.
“I adopted Dr Sun’s motto to serve the people by running a clinic and charging less so that people do not feel the pinch.
“To be able to do this, I decided to work on my own because if I worked for others, I would not be able to charge less,” he said when met at the memorial event held at the Sun Yat Sen Museum Penang in Armenian Street to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the passing of Dr Sun.
Dr Yee also said that his maternal grandfather was an active supporter and spent most of his money on Dr Sun’s movement.
“My grandfather was a writer, and so he wrote for Dr Sun too,” he said.
Dr Yee added that despite his age, he wants to continue working to serve, just like his Dr Sun.
Businessman Dr Lawrence Khoo, in his 50s, said his grandfather was an ardent supporter of Dr Sun and had offered assistance in many ways.
“Dr Sun believed in education being of utmost importance and my grandfather as his supporter, started the Chung Ling High School and Penang Chinese Girls’ High School as well as Kwong Wah Yit Poh (a Chinese-language newspaper) here in Penang.
“We still follow his ideology that education is important and that women must be treated as equals.
“This has influenced me and I believe that we all need education and to be treated equally regardless of gender,” he said.
During the gathering, museum custodian Khoo Salma shared that a short video about how the Chinese community from other countries remember Dr Sun will be released on March 12, the actual death anniversary.
“Dr Sun was the towering figure of his time and the first provisional president of the China republic.
“He was a man with a vision who never gave up,” she said.
At the museum, Khoo said they share his (Dr Sun’s) story daily with visitors.
“This keeps his story alive.”
Born in 1866 in Guangdong province in China, Dr Sun studied medicine in Hong Kong and became a doctor.
He started his revolutionary career in 1894 and staged his first uprising in China a year later after forming Xing Zhong Hui in Honolulu.
He travelled around the world in search of support and came to Penang five times from 1906 to 1912.
Often called the “Father of Modern China”, Dr Sun played a key role in the overthrow of the Qing Dynasty in 1911.
He was the first provisional president when the Republic of China was established in 1912.
He passed away on March 12, 1925, after battling cancer.
Sun Yat-sen at 100: The revolutionary who shaped modern China
Wednesday, March 12, marks 100 years since the death of Chinese revolutionary and politician Sun Yat-sen, the “Father of the Nation.”
Sun was a Chinese revolutionary leader and political philosopher, often referred to as the "Father of Modern China" for his pivotal role in overthrowing the Qing dynasty and establishing the Republic of China. Born on November 12, 1866, in Cuiheng Village, Guangdong Province, Sun received a Western-style education in Hawaii and later studied medicine in Hong Kong. His exposure to Western ideas and the decline of the Qing dynasty fueled his determination to reform China.
Sun founded the Revive China Society in 1894, advocating for the overthrow of the Qing and the establishment of a modern republic. His revolutionary efforts culminated in the 1911 Xinhai Revolution, which ended over 2,000 years of imperial rule. On January 1, 1912, Sun was inaugurated as the provisional president of the Republic of China, though he soon stepped aside to promote unity.
Sun's political philosophy, the Three Principles of the People (nationalism, democracy, and people's livelihood), became the foundation of Chinese governance. Despite facing numerous challenges, including warlordism and foreign intervention, Sun remained committed to unifying China and modernizing its society. He reorganized the Nationalist Party (Kuomintang, or KMT) and formed alliances with the Communist Party of China to strengthen the revolutionary movement.
Sun passed away on March 12, 1925, in Beijing, leaving behind a legacy of revolution and reform. His ideas continue to influence both Taiwan and mainland China, where he is revered as a unifying figure.
Sun Yat-sen expressed his support for Zionism in a letter sent to N.E.B. Ezra, 24 April 1920. (credit: Abraham Schwadron Autograph Collection/National Library of Israel)
The Zionism letter
There was also a fascinating discovery back in 2021, when a letter written by Sun to a Shanghai Jew expressed support for the Zionist cause.
In the letter, dated April 24, 1920, Sun voiced his enthusiastic backing for Zionism, describing it as “one of the greatest movements of the present time.”
"[I] wish to assure you of my sympathy for this movement – which is one of the greatest movements of the present time," Yat-sen's letters reads. "All lovers of Democracy cannot help but support whole-heartedly and welcome with enthusiasm the movement to restore your wonderful and historic nation, which has contributed so much to the civilization of the world and which rightfully deserve [sic] an honorable place in the family of nations."
It was addressed to N.E.B. Ezra, a prominent writer, publisher, and the founder of the Shanghai Zionist Association.
Sun is celebrated for his role in shaping modern Chinese history, and while his endorsement of Zionism has long been documented and the contents of the letter were previously known, the original signed copy has only recently been rediscovered, more than a century after it was written.
nternal records from the National Library indicate that the letter was in its collection since at least 1938, though it was never publicly cataloged or accessible to researchers until now. The exact path by which the letter arrived at the library remains unclear.
“N.E.B. Ezra passed away in 1936. The letter’s arrival by 1938 suggests that Ezra himself may have donated it, or someone else sent it to the library after recognizing its historical importance,” National Library archivist Rachel Misrati stated at the time.
Sun and other Chinese leaders maintained warm relations with Jewish communities and figures, both locally and internationally. Many of these connections were forged during Sun’s years of exile before the Qing dynasty’s fall. A notable example is Morris “Two-Gun” Cohen, a Polish-born Jewish bodyguard and advisor to Sun, who was also a staunch Zionist.
Sun’s support for Zionism was not unique among national leaders of the time. Many prominent political figures expressed similar sentiments, driven by both ideological alignment and practical considerations - in 1946, Vietnamese leader Ho Chi Minh spent several days staying in the same hotel as David Ben-Gurion in Paris, where the two would often visit each other.
Legacy
Sun Yat-sen is still widely revered in Taiwan as the founding father of the Republic of China (ROC), though his legacy has evolved over time. His status remains prominent in official state narratives, but the way he is perceived has changed, particularly as Taiwanese identity has developed over the years.
The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) of the mainland has also claimed Sun Yat-sen as part of its own revolutionary lineage, portraying him as an early forerunner of communism who opposed imperialism and laid the groundwork for modern China.
GEORGE TOWN: For years, a senior citizen has been riding around the island on a motorcycle, collecting and sorting recyclable materials for a living.
But as his health began failing, he could not deal with it and ended up living with “mountainous” piles of recyclables in his house.
Following public complaints, Penang Island City Council (MBPP) visited the senior citizen’s home in Batu Maung.
It took six truckloads to clear 4,440kg of the waste piled high in the compound of his single-storey house.
More than 20 MBPP workers took five hours on Thursday to remove the rubbish.
Mammoth task: It took over 20 MBPP workers and six trucks to clear the rubbish from the house in Batu Maung. — Photo provided by MBPP
And as per MBPP regulations, the senior citizen was left with a RM2,021.74 bill for the removal, transport and disposal of the waste.
In a statement, MBPP said it had to act because of complaints by those in the neighbourhood.
“The resident said he would sort through the recyclable waste to sell to recycling centres.
“But due to his deteriorating health, managing the accumulated waste became impossible yet the quantity increased daily,” said MBPP.
As it became a breeding ground for pests, MBPP said the Southwest District Health Department issued the senior citizen a notice under Section 8 of the Destruction of Disease-Bearing Insects Act 1975 on Oct 7.
The senior citizen had been given a warning to stop collecting and sorting rubbish, and to clean up his house compound, failing which MBPP would take follow-up action.
In Penang, by-laws were enacted since 2016 to regulate those involved in waste segregation and the collection of recyclable materials.
