Philip Khor

Disclaimer: Be prepared for some bashing if you’re a Malaysian overseas!

Yesterday, as I browsed through my copy of The Edge, a weekly Business newspaper, I came across an article written by a lady, talking about her lady friend getting married to a guy working overseas. The question popped up, “So, are you guys gonna stay in Malaysia, … or?” The reply was without hesitation and immediate. “OF COURSE we are going down under. Isn’t it better there, I mean for our family and when our kids are born?” [paraphrased]

Today, while browsing Lowyat I came across the Malaysia vs Singapore thread. There’s a flame war going on in sgforums about Malaysians stealing the local’s jobs. There was definitely lots of hatred where one dude asked Malaysians to “collect rubbish and clean toilets”! A forumer’s father’s job was threatened because of young, inexperienced Malaysians coming across the causeway, willing to work for half the pay. It was a professional field, so hiring experience usually means higher “costs”.

Its sad, really because I too dream of greener pastures overseas. The SG dollar is stronger, heck.. the British pound is 6 times the Ringgit. And Australia seems to be a haven for Asians particularly the Chinese.

Migrate is a sexy word used to cover up the ugly truth. The truth is, we don’t see value in bringing up our families here in Malaysia. Not equally treated due to racial inequality, and money is definitely a huge factor (Trivia: 60% of car buyers look at price first, the 30% at the Size, and 10% other factors).

Here are some things to consider before bashing foreigners entering our country “stealing our jobs”:

1. Without foreigners, there will be no today.

2. As Businesses, if foreigners can perform the job function to satisfaction, then YOU should up your game.

3. Grow up. Stop wanting to be bottle fed. As much as I hate seeing our country lose out to fast emerging markets, we gotta step up our game and not sit back complacently.

Here are some reasons to consider, before considering migration:

1. 3Fs, food, friends, family

2. During the 80s and 90s, if you said, “Oh, I’ve worked in Australia, with the experience, now I’m serving my company here in Malaysia”. We respect you. Today, if you come back from abroad hunting for a job because you got fired or retrenched, be prepared for a hostile reception from your fellow countrymen.

With that all said and done:

I’M GOING ABROAD!!!!

But like Arnold says: “I’ll be back!”

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