Malaysian expats in the Middle East !

Expats account for  as high as 70 percent of the employment market. In the labor category, it is 100 percent! This unique feature opens up opportunities for other nationals to flock to the Middle East. Malaysians included.

When I left the UAE in 2009, there were about  4000 Malaysians working there. In Dubai alone, there were around 3000. 

Now, in Jeddah, there are around 1000 Malaysians registered with the Consulate. I am aware of similar high number in Qatar, as the country is building up for the FIFA World Cup 2022.

1. Professionals

Malaysian expats in the Middle East are professionals; Engineers, Quantity Surveyors, Project Managers, Architects, Accountants, IT, Sales & Marketing, Human Resource  Doctors & nurses, academicians and others.

Unlike other Asian countries which export their laborers to the Gulf region, Malaysians are known for our  management skills and professionalism. 

Professionalism has indeed become one of the brands for Malaysian expats here.

2. Beyond professionalism

In addition to being the experts in their given fields, Malaysians are also known for other attributes. We are team players, dedicated, easy to get along with, unselfish, good trainers of the locals, and perhaps most enduringly, we are proud of our Malaysian heritage. 

Being Malaysian itself is a Brand!

3. Flag bearers

The above two aspects have elevated the Malaysians to preferred employees status. 

An important element often left unmentioned in any business forum are the roles played by the spouses and children of the Malaysian expats.

Malaysian women, although a few are professionals themselves, mostly are spouses of the expats, and are known for their politeness, good demeanors, warmth, and communal activities, albeit amongst the Malaysian community.

Wherever we are, we are known as good neighbors, friendly and peaceful. Our children are amongst the most popular in the schools they attend, because of their friendliness, helpfulness and friendly nature. Generally speaking, and most of what I am saying here are generalization anyway, the Malaysian children also are high achievers in schools.

Previous and existing flag bearers have done Malaysia proud. In the process they have opened up more doors for other Malaysians to enter - expanding the Malaysian expats community in the Gulf States. 

4. Is the grass really greener?

Believe me, the grass is greener. 

Salaries even after conversion due to currency value disparity, are higher than what can be earned in Malaysia. There is no income tax, which makes net disposable income even higher. 

Nearly all of the Malaysian children go to good International Schools. Education is conducted in English. They are  exposed to other children from diverse nationalities. Mostly, the schools are 'Learning focus' as opposed to 'exams' focus.

Strange but true, we do feel safer living here than living in our own country. It is not uncommon to hear of expats leaving their doors unlocked at night, and houses do not come with iron grills on doors and windows.  

On the other hand, nearly every expat I meet talks about missing the good Malaysian life. We leave the country with our suitcases, but we leave our heart at home, and home is where our heart is. It is still Malaysia ~! 

We look forward to our annual exodus of 'Balik Kampung'. Often with money in our pockets, and love in our heart. Living abroad, makes us truly appreciate the Malaysian Tourism song, "Malaysia truly Asia~!"

5. Delusions

Living abroad has also given the Malaysian expats a broader view of the short comings and illnesses in our beloved country. We simmer with anger by the news about political corruption, abuse of the country money by elitist leaders and their spouses (I force myself  not to be singular so as not to appear as being personal with anyone). We despise reading about racism, no matter from which side. We protest in our heart when we know of how the police and the Government working in cohort, suppressing the freedom of citizens who wish to exercise their right - the right to speak up!

We will continue to do our bit for the country. We will continue to fly the Malaysian flag high and open more doors for more Malaysian brothers and sisters to come join us here. We will continue to live the good Malaysian life, and make our country proud by being good corporate citizens and worthy neighbors, where ever we are. We will continue to send our hard earned money home - injecting the national economy, in a small way.

I have been a Malaysian expat since 2000, and not a day pass by when I am not thinking of Malaysia!