Pay hike for all 34,000 TNB workers

KUALA LUMPUR: Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) will announce a pay rise for all its 34,000 employees and be the first government-linked corporation (GLC) to raise its minimum wage to RM1,700 as stated in the Budget 2025, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

The Prime Minister said that the top management of TNB had agreed to this after discussion with the government.

Anwar announced this at the 75th anniversary celebrations of TNB at its headquarters in Bangsar here Tuesday (Oct 29).

The announcement was met with rousing cheers from thousands of TNB employees gathered at the Leo Moggie Convention Centre.

“I thank the top leadership for agreeing to make TNB the first GLC to be the one to take up the government’s call to raise its minimum wage and to further raise the pay of all its employees,” said Anwar.

The event today was also attended by Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil, TNB chairman Tan Sri Abdul Razak Abdul Aziz and its top management.

Anwar further said that a GLC’s success is not only measured by the profit it rakes, but also by how it takes care of the welfare of all employees.

“After its privatisation (in 1990), I had met with TNB management and stated that it should not be a corporation that is only interested in profit-making but it must also be a fair and just employer to all its employees.

“A company would not succeed only with the wisdom of its management for it would need the commitment of employees from all levels,” said Anwar.

He also called on TNB to be ready to be the major electricity hub of Asean countries when Malaysia takes on Asean chairmanship next year.

“This is a big challenge. Ensure that we become the major hub for energy in the future and ensure that there is the Asean Grid,” said Anwar.

(The Asean Grid referred to is a cross-border deal announced last September which cuts across Laos, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore, aimed at strengthening energy security and sustainability across the Asean region.)

In his speech, he also talked of the importance of maintaining equilibrium between man and nature to ensure least damage in the quest for profit.

TNB, which turned 75 in September, currently is the nation’s largest electricity utility in Malaysia with 34,000 employees nationwide.

Earlier at the event, Anwar met with students of Malay College of Kuala Kangsar orchestra which was present to liven up the event.