Rethinking How We Value Police and Firefighters in Malaysia
A new police officer in Malaysia earns less than many desk-bound private sector employees—despite putting their lives on the line every single day. Firefighters (Bomba), who run into burning buildings to save lives, receive wages that barely reflect the cost of living, let alone the cost of bravery.
We expect them to stand between us and danger. But what do we stand up for when it comes to them?
The Hidden Toll
What we don’t see is the trauma they carry home:
- Officers who witness gruesome crime scenes daily.
- Firefighters who hear the screams of victims long after a rescue.
- Police and Bomba told to “stay strong” while battling mental collapse inside.
We’ve seen suicides in the police force—often brushed aside or blamed on “personal issues.” But this is not a series of isolated incidents. These are red flags waving in a system that refuses to talk about the psychological toll of service.
If We Want Safety, We Must Start With Them
If we want a society where people feel safe, we must start by protecting those who protect us. That means:
1. Raise Their Salaries
A salary that reflects the risk, responsibility, and reality of the job.
2. Prioritise Mental Health
Mandatory counselling, stress management, and trauma recovery support.
3. Public Respect and Policy Reform
Shift the perception of police and firefighters from “low-level government servants” to essential, skilled professionals.
The question is not “Can we afford to pay them more?”
The real question is “Can we afford not to?”
If we continue to underpay and overlook the wellbeing of those who keep us safe, we risk not only losing good officers but weakening the very fabric of public safety.
Let’s start the conversation. Let’s demand change.
Because protecting the protectors is the first step to a safer Malaysia.
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