Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister Ahmad Maslan continues to be blasted from all sides following his suggestion that Malaysians should take two jobs to fight rising cost of living.

Indeed, for some Malaysians, even having two jobs is barely enough for them to survive in cities such as Kuala Lumpur and Shah Alam.

Johari Basri, 36, gets up at 6am daily to work as a productions operator at a factory in Shah Alam, and at night he sells mobile phone accessories.

The father of three said a salary of RM2,000 was sufficient 15 years ago. But the same cannot be said today when even RM3,000 would not be enough to fully cover his family’s needs.

“Before this the economy wasn’t so bad but it has become worse now. And it’s not just me who feels this way, but my friends who are in business too, feel the same.

“If you are single, maybe you can rely on RM2,000 but if you have a family, then even if your salary is RM3,000, it’s not enough,” he told Malaysiakini .

Therefore, Johari decided to work two jobs in 2013, soon after prices of many goods went up.

Johari started his business selling smart phone accessories using his savings from 12 years of work at a factory producing electronic components.

Still, this has not led to a luxurious life of sorts, and has only somewhat alleviated his family’s burdens.

“The money from the business has helped in terms of travelling expenses to go to work,” he said.

Savings gone

Even with two jobs, Johari said it was still hard for him to save up due to the rising cost of living.

“Folks working two jobs is an old story. Back then people say those who juggle two jobs can afford to save but today there isn’t enough to save. Even if you have (savings), it would have been all gone by now.

“RM50 for my family today is like RM10. Back then, we could fill two plastic bags (of items) with RM50; nowadays we can’t even fill up one plastic bag,” he said.

For the 2016 school session, he had spent RM1,000 for his three children’s expenses.

Johari also lamented how he has not been able to spend time with his children during the school break as he had to work in the morning and tend to his business at night.

“We have not been able to go anywhere during the school holidays,” said Johari, his eyes glistening with tears.

Commenting on Ahmad’s statement , Johari said many have had to resort to working two jobs but contended that as a deputy minister, he should not make such statements.

“I didn’t expect he would make such statements. I think anyone who is sane will not do that,” he said.

Fauzi Ahmad Sani, 35, has been also holding two jobs over the past four years. The postman sells burgers when night falls.

The father of one began working two jobs to pay for his wedding expenses. He thought it was only temporary.

But Fauzi said he had to continue working two jobs to ensure that his family lives a comfortable life.

His second job requires him to work till late as the place where he sells burgers is a busy nightspot.

“I felt that I still needed to have two jobs as it would help in terms of savings.

“With today’s economy, we have not been able to save up as our daily expenditures have increased, especially with the Goods and Services Tax (GST). The prices of everything went up until I had to ensure that we should not spend more than necessary to eat,” he said.

“My salary as a postman and selling burgers at night is enough to pay off debts. Now even my wife has started selling curry puffs online.”

‘Forced to borrow’

As for Muhamad Kamarul Nizam he started taking a second job after he could not bear the shame of having to borrow money from his family to overcome his financial difficulty.

The 32-year-old private driver also works as a delivery man at a private company.

“I have many commitments and the price of many things have gone up, like milk, pampers and school fees. Even to save RM50 a month is hard.

“Back then when I did not have a second job, I had to borrow money to buy my children’s pampers and milk,” he said.

Kamarul ( photo ), who resides in Sri Petaling and works in Puchong, said with some savings he and his wife had, they started a business selling baby clothes.

“Our salary combined (Kamarul and his wife’s) is only RM5,000 and we have to pay RM700 for my children’s nursery, RM400 for another child’s kindergarten fees, our rent, as well as to pay off our car loan,” he said.

For 31-year-old Liyana Azmi, an executive at a private company, her intial venture into business online was “for fun”.

Nevertheless, the mother of two had to get serious about her second job to lighten her husband’s burden.

“Even though both my husband and I work, with the current cost of living, it is simply not enough.

“Working two jobs has enabled us to have some savings for our children and to cover our daily expenses. And if there’s more, then we can bring our children on holidays,” she said.

The stories above underscore the hardships that continue to grip Malaysians, as the the economy continue to worsens. Which left little room perhaps, for them the entertain the flighty fancies of insensitive ministers.