KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 18): The influx of foreign workers, minimum wage and individual attitudes are among the factors that contribute to urban suffering, panelists at a forum titled "Urban Suffering: Causes and Solutions" said today.

Malaysian Islamic Consumers Association (PPIM) activist Datuk Nadzim Johan said Malaysians were not taught to improve their mentality and had a nonchalant attitude towards life.

"For instance, in the previous budget, the government did all sorts of things, like hospitals and all. But the awareness for the people to reduce their ailments is not there.

"The software is not there, just the hardware. At the very least, we should be taught to improve our mentality," Nadzim said at the forum organised by publishing company Karangkraf in Shah Alam today.

Nadzim said without the right mentality, even a monthly salary of RM10,000 would not be enough for some individuals.

"Today, salaries of RM5,000, RM10,000 are not enough. How are we to correct the mentality of our workers?" he said.

Meanwhile, fellow panelist and president of the Malaysian Trades Union Congress Khalid Atan said the influx of foreign workers in the country had caused wages to go down across the board.

"The flood of foreign workers creates pressure on wages because the salaries of these foreign workers are low and they work 18 hours a day and are easily exploited," said Khalid.

"We've often heard of steps to reduce foreign workers. But I don't think it will ever happen."

He also cautioned against Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Ahmad Maslan's advice that Malaysians take up two jobs to earn more.

He said working multiple shifts for a measly pay would be the death of Malaysians.

"People who work three shifts will become listless, short tempered. You ask them to take up two jobs for RM1,000, that's not enough!"

Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar, who was also present at the forum, said she believed that the goods and services tax (GST) would go up by 2020 to help the government with its budget deficit.

"75% of contributors to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) have a monthly salary of less than RM2,000, and I believe by 2020, GST will increase to 10% to balance out the government deficit," she said.

Another panelist, Umno Youth deputy chief Khairul Azwan Harun said he supported government efforts to tackle wastage and prevent further losses.

"Leakage and wastage must be handled as soon as possible so that the government does not lose money so easily,"  Azwan said.

"The government must restrict the entry of foreign workers and hire more locals. The sectors that are booming should be dominated by local workers," he added.