SD Guthrie Bhd as committed to developing a living wage policy for its Malaysian operations, with the framework targeted for completion in the first quarter of 2026.
In a statement on Friday, the group said the policy will be introduced in phases, starting with about 8,000 non-plantation employees. The initial phase is expected to be completed by December 2026 and will be guided by the Employees Provident Fund’s Belanjawanku Expenditure Guide.
The initiative aims to promote fairer wages while supporting Malaysia’s broader socio-economic goals. It forms part of major shareholder Permodalan Nasional Bhd’s efforts, alongside other government-linked investment companies, to implement living wage policies under the government’s GEAR-uP reform programme led by the Finance Ministry.
SD Guthrie said the policy will align with its existing labour commitments and international standards, including compliance with Malaysian labour laws such as the Employees’ Minimum Standards of Housing, Accommodations and Amenities Act 1990 (Act 446), as amended in 2019.
The framework will also take into account regional cost-of-living differences and existing employee benefits. The group adheres to standards set by the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil and the International Labour Organization. 
SD Guthrie operates across 11 states in Malaysia, with 121 estates, 31 mills, and downstream and renewable energy facilities, employing more than 35,000 workers from multiple countries.
Shares in SD Guthrie rose 1.25% to RM5.69 on Friday, valuing the group at RM39.35 billion. The stock is up nearly 15% year to date.
