Salary Negotiation Strategies For Malaysians In 2025: Get Paid What You Deserve

Let’s be real, talking about money feels very taboo in Malaysia. Whether you’re beating around the bush when a recruiter asks you about your expected salary or your relatives bring it up during a family dinner — the money topic still makes many Malaysians squirm. 

Culturally, we’re not the most direct when it comes to money. Many of us were probably raised to believe that talking about how much you earn is “showing off” or “not polite.” Add that to a workplace where employees from the older generation act like their salary is a reward rather than something they deserve. So much so, that the younger generation of employees often get told off for simply thinking about a raise. Now it makes perfect sense why many of us would rather get underpaid than bring it up and rock the boat. 

But, with the current state of the world and how inflation is steadily increasing and cost of living creeping up, keeping silent about your worth at the workplace will keep you in the backseat. The good news? You don’t need some special skillset or have decades of experience to negotiate well. With the right mindset, some preparation, and a little courage, you too will be able to grab the wheel and take control of your financial life. 

Know your value

When a potential employer asks, “What are your salary expectations?”, the worst answer you can give is “I’m open.” You might as well be saying “I don’t know what I’m worth.” While it might feel polite or flexible, it puts the ball entirely in the employer’s court — and sadly that often means you will be getting the short end of the stick. 

Instead what you can (and frankly should) do is to research online to figure out what the market rate is for the job you are applying for. Even if you’re already employed, there is no harm in doing some research to see if what you are being offered is fair. Sites like Glassdoor, Jobstreet, and even LinkedIn can help you benchmark what you should ask. And when the conversation does come up: don’t just quote these numbers. Explain why you are worth it and back it up with what you are bringing to the table to justify that amount. 

Don’t wait for the right time

But then again there is a time and place for the money talk with your boss. If you see him fuming and literally turning red after a particularly difficult meeting, chances are your request for a raise will get turned down. If you’re down on your luck, you might even find yourself out of a job. Instead what we mean is you do not need to wait for your performance review or for the year to end before negotiating your salary. That is not some magical window for all things money to get approved. In fact, you might even minimise your chances of getting a raise because chances are everyone else in the office also waits for these periods to discuss a raise. 

Track your good deeds 

If you’re thinking about approaching your boss for a raise, be prepared to start collecting brownie points for at least 3-6 months before you do so. Start a document and keep tracking all your achievements, no matter how big or small — client praise, sales growth, number of coffee runs for the team — anything measurable and impressive. The fact is, we often don’t remember the little details and wins that go into our work. Keeping track this way will not only make your case with your boss, but also act as a reminder of how far you’ve come (and how much money you deserve for it). 

When your boss whips out the classic “And why do you deserve it?” card,  you can flash your receipts and Uno reverse the situation. Because let’s be real: “I work hard” isn’t a strategy. Everyone’s working hard (or at least, pretending to). What sets you apart is your ability to tie your hard work to tangible outcomes: Did you help land a major client? Improve customer retention? Cut turnaround time in half?

Closing the deal

At the heart of every salary negotiation is a simple truth: you are allowed to ask for more. Not because you’re entitled, but because you’re aware — of your worth, your contributions, and the value you bring to the table.

For many of us, this mindset shift might feel awkward at first. We’re taught to be humble, to keep our heads down and be grateful for what we’re given. But being grateful and asking for fair compensation? Those two things can (and should) coexist. So when the time comes, say it like you mean it. You don’t need to over-explain or apologise for wanting more. You’ve done the work, you’ve shown up — now it’s just about asking for what makes sense. It might feel uncomfortable, especially if you’ve never done it before, but that doesn’t mean it’s wrong. It just means you’re growing. Now go get that bag. You’ve earned it.