Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman has voiced concerns over the T15 income classification system, warning it could create a “moral hazard” by pressuring women in dual-income households to leave the workforce. Speaking during the 2025 Budget debate in the Dewan Rakyat, the former Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda) president highlighted how this classification could lead to unintended consequences for families.
Syed Saddiq explained that under the T15 threshold, families with a single income may still qualify for various subsidies, such as petrol, education and healthcare. However, dual-income households with a combined income exceeding the T15 threshold would lose access to these benefits even if their individual earnings are modest. For example, a family where the husband earns RM10,000 qualifies for subsidies but a household with both partners earning a combined RM13,000 would not.
He stressed that this situation might encourage husbands to pressure their wives to leave their jobs, reducing household income to fall below the T15 threshold and regain access to subsidies. “This policy could push working women out of the labor force,” he warned, highlighting the impact this could have on family dynamics and women’s independence.
Syed Saddiq urged the government to reassess the T15 income classification, advocating for a more holistic approach that considers household income collectively rather than penalizing dual-income families. He also pointed out the lack of clarity surrounding the classification and its potential consequences. He called on the government to provide clearer guidelines and warned that the uncertainty has already sparked public concern, especially over the rising costs of healthcare and education.
Syed Saddiq emphasized the need for opposition voices to represent the public’s interests and demand more comprehensive planning from policymakers.
