Malaysia's Disposable income rises nationwide to RM7,584

 

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

Experts: Rising cost of living dampens income gains

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 — According to the Statistics Department (DOSM), the average monthly disposable household income increased by 3.2% to RM7,584 in 2024, while the .

Full moon admired across China during Mid-Autumn Festival, Moon, Music, Tides Charm Spectators Along Qiantang River on Mid-Autumn Festival Night

Under a brilliant full moon, crowds of visitors gathered along the Qiantang River in Yanguan Town, east China's Zhejiang Province on the night of October 6, awaiting the nocturnal tidal bore under the moonlight as a cherished Mid-Autumn Festival tradition.

https://www.cctvplus.com/news/2025100...

 
 
 
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CHINA / SOCIETY

Full moon admired across China during Mid-Autumn Festival

By XinhuaPublished: Oct 07, 2025 08:38 AM

 

 

 

 

A full moon is pictured near Jingshan Park in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 6, 2025. Monday marks this year's Mid-Autumn Festival, which is celebrated annually on the 15th day of the eighth month in the Chinese lunar calendar. People across China admire the full moon to celebrate the traditional holiday. (Photo: Xinhua)

 

A drone photo taken on Oct. 6, 2025 shows a full moon over the sky in north China's Tianjin. Monday marks this year's Mid-Autumn Festival, which is celebrated annually on the 15th day of the eighth month in the Chinese lunar calendar. People across China admire the full moon to celebrate the traditional holiday. (Photo: Xinhua)

 

A full moon is pictured in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Oct. 6, 2025. Monday marks this year's Mid-Autumn Festival, which is celebrated annually on the 15th day of the eighth month in the Chinese lunar calendar. People across China admire the full moon to celebrate the traditional holiday. (Photo: Xinhua)

 

Tourists watch the full moon at a park in Jiamusi, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Oct. 6, 2025. Monday marks this year's Mid-Autumn Festival, which is celebrated annually on the 15th day of the eighth month in the Chinese lunar calendar. People across China admire the full moon to celebrate the traditional holiday. (Photo: Xinhua)

UN Human Rights Council adopts China-tabled draft resolution on promoting economic, social and cultural rights

 

Photo: CFP

A draft resolution on promoting and protecting economic, social and cultural rights within the context of addressing inequalities was adopted without a vote at the 60th session of the UN Human Rights Council on Monday.

The draft resolution was submitted by China on behalf of nearly 70 countries, including Bolivia, Egypt, Pakistan, and South Africa, according to CCTV News.

Chinese Ambassador Chen Xu, China's permanent representative to the UN Office in Geneva and other international organizations in Switzerland, said at the session that as this year marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the UN and the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, China's proposal aims to bridge differences, build consensus and focus on action-oriented cooperation, CCTV News reported.

He called for strengthening multilateralism and international cooperation, holding thematic discussions and interactive dialogues within the Human Rights Council, supporting the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in enhancing its work on economic, social and cultural rights, and making full use of the economic social and cultural rights knowledge hub established under a China-tabled resolution to better provide technical assistance and capacity-building for countries in need.

Various developing countries voiced support, saying the resolution reflects the real needs of people and effectively responds to the strong calls of developing countries for increasing investment in economic, social and cultural rights. Various parties including the EU commended the resolution. After its adoption, many countries and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights extended congratulations to the Chinese mission, recognizing China's leading role in advancing these rights globally, according to CCTV News.

How China’s J-16 drives away foreign stealth jets, deterring them from approaching China’s coastal waters again

 

Li Chao Photo: CCTV news

"My canopy was only about 10 to 15 meters away from his…" In a documentary titled Invincible about the V-Day military parade, aired Thursday on China Central Television, a pilot from the special mission aircraft formation shared his experience of driving away two foreign stealth fighter jets while flying a domestically developed J-16 fighter jet, according to CCTV news.

Li Chao, a pilot with the PLA Air Force under the Western Theater Command, encountered two foreign fighter jets during a coastal training mission in 2024. "They headed straight toward our two aircraft. Their intention was very clear—it was a provocation.With our backs to the territorial sea line, we had to intercept them."

During the first encounter, Li locked onto the foreign fighter jet. Its wingman immediately broke away at high speed, while the other foreign fighter jet exited the combat zone and locked onto Li's jet. Seizing the opportunity, Li pulled up his aircraft and executed a barrel roll, flying inverted directly above the foreign jet.

"At that moment, my canopy was just 10 to 15 meters away from his. After completing this maneuver, I simultaneously locked onto both foreign fighter jets. In the end, both aircraft withdrew," Li said. 

That was the only encounter. Since then, this type of foreign fighter jet has not been spotted again near China's coastal waters, according to CCTV.

Chinese media revealed on Monday how China’s J-20 stealth ...

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After multiple rounds of intensive attack and defense, the foreign military aircraft were finally expelled. (Video: CCTV Military Channel) ...

Financial literacy boost for consumers

Those borrowing more than RM100k to be sent for courses

PETALING JAYA: The new rule requiring personal loan applicants who borrow more than RM100,000 to attend financial ­education courses will help consumers make better decisions, says the Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca).

Its chief executive officer Dr Saravanan Thambirajah said the measure announced by Bank Negara is timely, as many borrowers underestimate repayment burdens and the risks of default.

“The modules can help high-risk ­borrowers understand the dangers of over-borrowing, be cautious about ­unsustainable commitments, and better evaluate whether the loan will genuinely serve their financial needs,” he said.

Saravanan added that financial edu­cation is critical for preventing households from being trapped in long-term hardship.

“With effective modules, borrowers will be more informed about interest costs, repayment schedules and the long-term impact on their financial well-being.”

Automotive journalist Caleb Fong said the move is good to safeguard younger or less experienced borrowers.

“For younger people like us, financial decisions can be overwhelming. The modules could be useful, provided they are practical and not filled with information we already know,” he said.

Animal activist Myza Nordin, 57, said the requirement is a brilliant move, noting that many Malaysians were already burdened by loans they could not afford.

“Servicing a large loan can be a major commitment that could take a heavy toll on borrowers and their families.

“This is especially so when people take loans simply because they can, and not because there is an urgent need,” she added.

Self-employed Padma Zachariah, 58, said servicing huge loans could have a lifelong impact.

“Having never taken a personal loan, I can see the value of ensuring people understand the responsibility that comes with borrowing such large amounts,” said Padma.

Finance executive Kamal Kanapathy, 50, said the policy is a significant step forward, but its success would depend on implementation.

“The quality and accessibility of the ­financial education modules will be paramount.

“The provision empowering lenders to recommend the module to high-risk borrowers, for any loan amount, would also be a welcome safeguard that should be applied diligently,” he said.

Entrepreneur Charles Manickam, 58, said the initiative would help individuals and households exercise greater care in managing their finances.

“It will also create greater awareness of potential risks and pitfalls, including legal implications and insolvency if debts are not paid,” he said, though adding the ­success of such a programme was “debatable”.

Accountant Long Paul Lin, 48, said the new policy could help prevent more young people from being declared bankrupt.

“Banks easily give out personal loans and sometimes individuals take the maximum amount they qualify for without worrying about the consequences. As a result, they either live from hand to mouth for years while servicing the loans, or end up bankrupt when they cannot pay,” she said.

Lawyer CR Chua said while financial education is good, most Malaysians do not qualify for a RM100,000 personal loan.

“Those who do are already high net worth individuals who probably know the system better than most of us,” he said.

He suggests that Bank Negara extend the module to all personal loan applicants, since those who end up in trouble are ­usually from lower income groups.

The Star

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