Salary increments are supposed to feel rewarding, a token of appreciation for your hard work.
But when the raise barely covers a cup of coffee, it can feel more insulting than encouraging.
That’s exactly how one Malaysian woman felt after working nearly a year at her job, only to receive a mere RM50 pay bump.
She shared her disbelief in a Threads post that quickly went viral, sparking a flurry of comments from netizens who either sympathised, laughed, or shared similar stories.
“Almost a year of hard work, and this is all?”
In her post, she wrote:
“This is the result of working for almost a year, and this is all I get???“
She included a photo of a salary increment letter from her employer, stating that her basic salary would be raised from RM1,900 to RM1,950, effective 1 March 2025 , an increase of RM50 or 2.6%.
All other terms and conditions of your contract employment remain unchanged.
In the meantime, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued hard work and support.”
View on Threads
Is RM50 a ‘normal’ raise in Malaysia?
In Malaysia, annual salary increments typically range from 3% to 6% depending on industry, job performance, and company profitability.
For those earning around RM2,000, a 3% increment would amount to RM60, meaning the woman’s raise of RM50 isn’t technically far off, but it’s still on the lower end.
However, with Malaysia’s inflation rate averaging around 3–4%, a raise that doesn’t at least match inflation could mean a real drop in purchasing power, making that RM50 feel like a symbolic gesture rather than a meaningful increase.
‘RM50? You were expecting more ah?’
One user cheekily responded:
“‘Almost a year’ and that’s all? 😂 What kind of raise were you expecting, sis?”
View on Threads
But the light-hearted tone soon gave way to a wave of people sharing their own experiences.
“I worked in the same company for 9 years, gave my all, and still only got RM50 too. Honestly, just upgrade your skills and move on. Do the bare minimum because that’s all they’re giving you. Plan your next step. Good luck.”
View on Threads
Living in KL with that kind of raise? Tough
Others pointed out how hard it is to survive let alone thrive on such a small increment, especially in the city.
“So many people normalise this kind of pay. I hope you find a better job soon. And this is just your basic, not including the deduction from the EPF. If you’re based in KL, this is really tough.”
View on Threads
The sentiment struck a chord, especially with those balancing low wages and high living costs.
“Look at it as a percentage,” some advised
Trying to offer a different angle, a few users broke down the numbers:
“Technically, that’s a 2.6% raise. Most companies give somewhere between 2%–5%, so this isn’t unusual. But yeah, even getting 3% nowadays isn’t easy. Inflation’s another beast. If you want more, switching jobs might be the better option.”
View on Threads
Another chimed in with a little more optimism (and realism):
“Inflation averages 4%. Your increment is 2.6%. Not great long-term. But since you’ve only been there for a year, RM50 isn’t that shocking. Stick around for another year, give it your best but if things still don’t change, maybe it’s time to go. And in the meantime, upskill and polish your resume.”
View on Threads
When “a raise” doesn’t really raise anything
At the end of the day, most people weren’t mad about the idea of a small increment, it was more about what it represents. After months of effort, energy, and maybe even burnout, a RM50 raise can feel… disheartening.
And while it’s technically a positive adjustment, the gap between effort and reward often leaves employees wondering: is this really what I’m worth to the company?
A raise is nice. But when it doesn’t reflect your contributions or help you keep up with living expenses, maybe it’s time to look elsewhere. Sometimes, the real pay-off isn’t the increment, it’s recognising when to move on.
