Well... do allow me to share my opinion why employer is asking your current salary and expected salary...

I was once annoyed with such questions too. but when i start becomes the employer side. That is important for a company to know the budget they need to hire someone for that position.

Besides, if everyone is get 40% jump on every time they change jobs... Guess who is at the losing end??? the employers, not a single company but the industry as a whole. In order to keep the competition in term of cost, they will want to keep a certain % of increase from your previous salary.

As the area and industry that i'm working for, the employer will offer max 20% more from your previous salary. of course there will be exceptional cases. But in general that's the real job market.

Try change your perspective from employee to employer, you get to know all the reasons for them to ask. i would say not only Malaysia asks for current and expected salary, i believe the Asia culture works that way.

That's just my experience and opinion. One day you have become the Employer... you feel the pain... for paying too much for someone...

Well... if you think running a business and sustain it are just as simple as you think then... may be you should start a business and share with me how to certain your company growth and future forecast.

Employer is not low-ball the candidates, but just to get the best out of the budget they can. When the candidate proved that he is capable, we do not hesitate in adjusting his salary after his probation. That's most HR is doing.