Nowadays, part 2 should start at around 2.5k, in big cities like KL should be around 2.8k. Mainly because of the pandemic.

Part 2 with 2.5k salary is seriously a joke. Ten years ago, graduate with part 1 qualification got 2.3k. Now, part 2 with bachelors degree (3 yrs) + 1 yr working experience + masters degree (2 yrs) worth only 2.5k. Pandemic shouldn't be used as a fig leaf to cover up the long-existing problems in this sickening industry. The boss can basically claim that they are teaching you how to do 'architecture' in the firm to justify the horrendously low salary they offer to you with unpaid OT and extremely long working hours (>60 hrs / week). While the registered architects in malaysia remain so low (2000+ for 30 mil population), the pass rate for part 3 exams ranges from 6.5% to 45% (this number is VERY ABNORMAL), with an average of 20%, the industry now is basically full of numerous STUBBORN AND OLD-FASHIONED architects that think that you should have experienced what they have experienced before (countless of unpaid OTs + low pay) because that's what they have gone through. The educational route for architecture (3 yrs bachelor + 1 yr work + 2 yrs masters +2 yr work) took 8 years until you can sit for the exam, however, the pay you got is inversely proportional to the time & money you have invested in your study. I really wonder why is the part 3 pass rate so low in malaysia while in the uk part 3 pass rate remains over 85%. While claiming malaysia needs more architects, I think what LAM does is to deter all the architecture graduates so that the old ones can continue to dominate the industry, and continue to exploit the new generations.

There are many underlying problems in this industry, eg BIM is still not prevalent in most of the firms, which makes us ALWAYS rush for the drawings during tender stage, working almost 24/7 just because client/architect requires a 'minimal' change on the design. While in the UK, there is a living wage requirement for RIBA chartered practice, there is no institution to govern this. I see firms paying RM600 to interns and expect them to work OT everyday, paying RM2000 to Part 1 in KL w/o EPF & SOCSO. Funny that some companies claim their benefits to be 'EPF&SOCSO provided'. It should be a mandatory offer instead of 'benefits' as if they are real benefits.

PS: I am not saying the system in the UK is perfect. I know they are OT & low salary issues in the UK as well. But at least, RIBA is doing something to improve the situation. The whole process of obtaining part 3 (schools providing part 3 pg diploma/ guidance from the architect in the firm / study leave & exam fee provided by the firm mostly) is transparent and referenceable in the UK.

"We just do not have the numbers of ‘certified knowledge workers’ [read, professional architects] to go by with, and it doesn’t help to think that this is because our Pt 3 Exam is of an exceedingly high standard. For some strange reason or another, we seem to pride ourselves into thinking that we must make it difficult for new candidates to join the ‘established elite’ of professional architects, and so the exams are seemingly made very difficult to pass." from (www.aajily.tumblr.com/post/8473325674/hanya-9-lulus-lam-part-3-exam) concludes what has been happening in Malaysia for years.

References:

www.architecture.com/-/media/gathercontent/education-statistics/additional-documents/educationstatistics201516pdf.pdf
www.pam.org.my/images/publications/ba2015/jul2015/Berita-akitek-jul-2015.pdf
www.aajily.tumblr.com/post/8473325674/hanya-9-lulus-lam-part-3-exam
architecture.com/knowledge-and-resources/knowledge-landing-page/living-wage-requirement-for-riba-chartered-practices

Funny thing, this is the post that I've been reading and asking back when I graduated SPM and seeking for my major to study before entering university, and yet 10 years later back I was at this post reading about the sad truth and reality about this field is.....

I guess those who stayed in this field would be for interest, I don't see how else one can hold up to this norm and work life. I've been very certain that I have no interest in architecture nor design since the 2nd year in uni, found the perseverance to tough it out, didnt find the courgae to switch course haha.

As a result most of our so called professional architects are exam orientated and lacks experience and basic knowledge in architecture, they treat the PAM part 3 exam like any other exams, studied hard memorizing answers etc and when they passed the exam able to sign off plans for money ..that's all.. No Quality at all ..and since we are closed market, no foreign architects can come and practice here there is no competition ..