MELAKA, Sept 5 — The Melaka government will study a proposal to make the state one of the earliest in Malaysia to set a basic salary of between RM2,500 and RM2,800 before submitting its recommendation to the Federal Government.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ab Rauf Yusoh said the proposal would be assessed from all angles before being submitted to the Federal Government.

“This is to ensure that our young people have better incomes to build their future in the state,” he told reporters after attending the 2026 Melaka Youth Town Hall session at the Melaka International Trade Centre (MITC), Ayer Keroh, here today.

He said the state government would also create opportunities for women who had left their careers due to various factors, particularly through new projects being developed in the state.

“I will look into it. For example, at Port of Tanjung Pelepas, women were previously given employment opportunities as container truck drivers within the port area. We will look at similar opportunities at the Inland Port in Alor Gajah. We will see if there are suitable jobs for women to move forward,” he said.

On the carnival, which began yesterday and runs until tomorrow, Ab Rauf said it was among the state government’s efforts to provide young people the opportunities to shape their future.

The carnival features various programmes, including Jom Heboh, a career carnival and skills carnival, as well as a Town Hall session aimed at helping young people understand the direction of the state’s future development.

“They also need to seize opportunities to pursue Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), which will certainly offer them a different future.

“This is important as Melaka’s people have proven to be sought after by leading global manufacturing companies in highly specialised fields, particularly technology,” he added. — Bernama