KUALA LUMPUR: The Starting Basic Salary Guidelines based on the Malaysia Standard Classification of Occupations (Masco) must be supported by transparent monitoring and reporting mechanisms to ensure employer compliance, an economic analyst said.

Putra Business School Associate Professor Dr Ahmed Razman Abdul Latiff said that without clear enforcement mechanisms, employers could disregard the guidelines without legal consequences, leaving graduates unable to challenge low salary offers.

He said setting a starting salary of RM2,500 would not guarantee equity unless job duties, skill levels, and responsibilities were accurately assessed.

"Job classifications under Masco must be reviewed based on actual duties, not merely job titles stated in employment contracts.