‘How are people supposed to survive in KL with RM1,700?’ jobseeker asks

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Kritik
29 Aug 2026
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SubCategory | Media Narratives

‘How are people supposed to survive in KL with RM1,700?’ jobseeker asks

By TheSun

A MALAYSIAN jobseeker has triggered an online debate after coming across a Kuala Lumpur job vacancy offering a starting salary of RM1,700, which she described as insufficient given the city’s rising cost of living.

The woman shared her concerns on Threads, saying she was currently working in Petaling Jaya and earning RM2,300, but still found it difficult to make ends meet.

“A job vacancy in KL offering an RM1,700 salary is crazy. Employers, what are you thinking?” she wrote.

“I am currently working in Petaling Jaya, earning RM2,300, and even that feels so tight when trying to survive until the end of the month. How are people supposed to survive in KL with RM1,700?”

She also called for the government to address basic salaries, saying wages had not kept pace with the rising cost of living.

“Honestly, the government really needs to do something about basic salaries in Malaysia. The cost of living keeps going up, but salaries are still like this. This is unacceptable,” she said.

Her post drew mixed reactions online, with some users agreeing that RM1,700 would be difficult to live on in Kuala Lumpur.

“Totally cannot survive,” one user commented.

Another said even a RM2,300 salary was insufficient amid the current economic climate.

“Even RM2,300 is nothing in this economy. I feel salaries in Malaysia are calculated just for us to pay the bills, and that’s all. We can’t save. We can’t have a good life. Nothing. That is so unfair,” the user said.

The discussion also highlighted the costs faced by workers living in the Klang Valley, with room rentals potentially accounting for RM600 to RM800 a month before expenses such as public transport and food are taken into consideration.

Some commenters argued that low salaries could also make it difficult for employers to retain workers, with employees potentially leaving for better-paying jobs after a short period.

However, others said raising wages could have wider economic consequences, particularly for businesses operating on thin margins.

“It’s a difficult situation, really. Once the minimum wage goes up, inflation will follow, no doubt about it. But I guess the government has to bite the bullet and let it fly,” one user said.

Another argued that higher wages would increase operating costs for restaurants, cafes, supermarkets and other businesses, which could ultimately result in higher prices for consumers.

“When costs go up, companies will raise the prices of goods and services. So, it’s the same,” the user said.

A further commenter urged people to consider the financial position of smaller businesses, particularly those in the food and beverage sector.

“You have to think about all parties, as not all companies have a net profit of RM40 million per year,” the user said, pointing to the number of F&B businesses that had closed.

Source: how-are-people-supposed-to-survive-in-kl-with-rm1700-jobseeker-asks

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