While most companies are still catching up with Malaysia’s new RM1,700 minimum wage, Sime Darby Property Berhad is going far beyond expectations. The real estate giant just made a bold move; raising the minimum wage for its B40 employees by 80%, from RM1,500 to RM2,700.
Let that sink in. An extra RM1,200 in their workers’ pockets every month.
In a time where inflation is pinching wallets and living costs continue to rise, this isn’t just generous, it’s necessary. And more importantly, it’s a clear signal that the company isn’t just about profits. It’s about people.
Sime Darby Property Sets New Standard
In the company’s Integrated Annual Report 2024, chairman Datuk Rizal Rickman Ramli said the decision was made to ease the financial strain on their lower-income employees.
“We recognise the real challenges our lower-income employees face,” said Datuk Rizal Rickman Ramli. “This increase isn’t just a number, it’s our way of showing that we care, and that we want to walk the talk when it comes to inclusive growth.”
Let’s be honest; how many large companies say they care about their staff, but only make real changes when it’s convenient or after public pressure?
Sime Darby Property isn’t waiting for that. They’re taking action.
Backed by Solid Performance
So why did Sime Darby Property decide to raise the minimum wage now? Simply put: because they can.
The company’s strong financial footing in 2024 gave them the confidence and capacity to make this bold move. During the financial year, Sime Darby Property achieved an all-time high revenue of RM4.3 billion, marking a significant leap from the previous year and setting a new benchmark in the company’s history.
Their operating profit soared to RM899.8 million, a clear indicator of efficient cost management and smart business strategies. Most notably, the company achieved RM4.1 billion in property sales, surpassing its already ambitious sales target by 17%.
More Than Just a Paycheque
The RM2,700 minimum wage is a big headline, but it’s not the only thing Sime Darby Property is doing to support its workforce.
In 2024, they also:
- Increased employee training hours by 43%
- Launched new learning programmes focused on AI, sustainability, and urban biodiversity
- Introduced stronger safety protocols under the “Barrier Thinking” initiative
- Engaged employees across levels through direct leadership outreach (LEAP programme)
- Provided financial aid and scholarships via Yayasan Sime Darby, including MBAs and postgraduate studies
What This Means for Malaysia
The timing couldn’t be better. The government just increased the minimum wage to RM1,700 in February 2025 for employers with five or more workers. But Sime Darby Property isn’t just following policy, they’re leapfrogging it.
By setting their internal minimum wage at RM2,700, the company has redefined what a living wage looks like in Malaysia’s corporate landscape. It’s not just compliance, it’s leadership. They’ve created a new benchmark that goes beyond legal obligation and speaks directly to social responsibility and human dignity.
And the ripple effects could be powerful. Moves like this put pressure on other large corporations to step up, not just to stay competitive in hiring, but to show they value their people in meaningful ways. If more companies follow suit, this could mark the beginning of a much-needed shift toward a more inclusive, people-first economy in Malaysia.
Source: here
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