Job Discussion Forums

KayuJati · Joined: 21 Feb 2010 Posts: 313

I was doing some spring cleaning in my desk area when I came upon a news article that I had saved for such a purpose as this. This information comes from the Starbiz section of the Star newspaper, one of Malaysia's main English-language papers. Dated Monday, 4 August, 2008, it shows the Monthly income per household. Since many households are double income, you could even divide by 2 to come up with average salaries.

I doubt that the percentages have changed too much since August 2008. The government has made a push to raise the incomes at the lower levels, especially key public service positions (police, fire-fighters). Salaries also tend to be higher in Kuala Lumpur and Penang, but not by factors greater than 2, more likely in the 1.10-1.30 range.

This data (not conjecture or opinion) does show that those RM5,000, RM7,000, and RM10,000 salaries being bandied about are decent salaries and people considering such positions shouldn't be put off by people residing outside Malaysia claiming that the salaries are low, pathetic, etc. Again, the data above are for household income, not salaries, and reflect a large number of double-income families.

I highly doubt that ESL/EFL teachers in the west would find their salaries in the top 5% or even top 20% of all salaries.

gloomyGumi · Joined: 29 Dec 2010 Posts: 353

factoring in inflation, this is still quite encouraging. Kayujati, upon my close scrutiny of his suggestions, continues to be the voice of reason and positivity about Malaysia. This is greatly appreciated by me, and hopefully by all whom are interested in this country as a potential settling down/retirement option. I am well (VERY well into my 40s and am not looking forward to retirement just yet by any means, but I am also not looking forward to returning to the u.s.a. and picking my way through a job(less) market in search of a shelf-stocker position at 2am for Walmart, or an 8 dollar an hour home health aid position, in that Nation of Clerks. Malaysia has been my favorite potential retirement place after very careful examination of emerging economies in the area. Places like HK, Singapore and Taiwan are either WAY too expensive or way too crowded. I was furthermore quite discouraged after just watching a Discovery Channel Singapore special, namely, I DO like to chew gum from time to time, though my dentist tells me not to.
Wailingimam has great points but at times I feel maybe he had a negative experience (as I am having now in SK) which influences his views on Malaysia. Im not saying he has false information at all. I will continue to need to fuse all the advice I am getting on this forum in order to once and for all DUMP korea in favor of Malaysia, perhaps. I am just trying to honestly assess the varying degrees of support for Malaysia, and I hope all sides of the argument for/against it will continue posting here, as I have ZERO knowledge of it by myself. Thanks to all.

wailing_imam · Joined: 31 Mar 2006 Posts: 580 Location: Malaya

As I have said on many occasions, I love Malaysia as a country to visit. However, I don't like KL. I am a frequent visitor and have been to all the major cities in all the states of the federation. . I know Malaysia well. However, I just think that it is a poor location for lowly qualified teachers to attempt to make a living. Teachers with lower qualifications or little experience are likely to find a much better life in other countries where the ESOL industry is significantly more developed such as China, Vietnam, Indonesia etc etc Why? Greater opportunities in terms of the number and types of position offered, many of the schools offer benefits such as flights and accommodation and a decent sized community of expat teachers for a support network.

gloomyGumi · Joined: 29 Dec 2010 Posts: 353

I agree with Wailing on this one.....I get the sense Malaysia wouldnt be as good for "lowly-qualified" teachers as Sk is right now, though I dont like it here. There are people here with --and this is just a sarcastic quip---bachelors degrees purchased in Bangkok for 50 bucks. But the teachers are getting great flight/accomodation/health perqs tho they are ill-qualified in many cases. Malaysia I am gleaning requires much more of a teacher in order to live the good life they live here in SK.
If I can live the good life (in material terms I mean) Im living here in SK in ANOTHER place which is more spiritually/culturally stimulating to me, I would do it in a flash. Since I am not well-qualified, I think both Malaysia and Sing wouldnt be great choices. If I could live well in Indo, I'd probably go for it........its just the savings would be a deterrent I fear.

Nemodot · Joined: 12 Mar 2011 Posts: 53

Hi I would take those figs with a pinch of salt.

1. Large parts of rural/east Malaysia are poorer but land and food cheap. Malays get pref treatment and I lived in kampung once and tv, fridge, phones etc nit like poor in Indonesia which don't have those items!

2. Expats have to pay for medical and retirement funding

3. Declared taxable income is just that. Malaysians typically make a lot cash in hand. From "kopi duit" to large bribes the actual income of most malaysians is significantly higher in KL. A mamak restaurant in central kl makes 25k a month profit. Even a day time only one outside makes 12k a month profit. Of douse that is a cash business and a lot of that isn't declared for tax!

A local teacher on 2,500k a month gets lots of subsidised loans and makes money from other businesses or tuition. Many charge that just to pass. Of course some out of principle say no but they suffer moneywort. A clerk stamping forms will often charge 50rm to get it "quicker" and that is for the locals. Everyone I know in Malaysia paid bribes. How do you think a inspector on 3k a month have 3 houses and several merge? Saw a lot if that! None if that is in the official stats!

Quite a few malaysians I know hate all this and a few work abroad as they hate corruption.

4. Grads will earn say 1.5 to 2.5k a month depending on job but that factors in living at home with parents from employers. You can live off that if you don't save or pay for accom. People in London live off 5.93 pounds an hour but miserable living!

Not putting Malaysia down but did a lot of business with locals and lots of malaysians will complain that it ruins Malaysia to have all the corruption. It also ruins stats!