Contrary to most Malaysians who work overseas, I chose a less popular destination. I have been based in Jakarta for the past year and a bit. Most people look down on Indonesia as the poorer neighbour, much like the way Singapore looks at us. However, after living here, there is much to like, and below are some of the reasons why I prefer life here and do not plan to return anytime soon:1. Indonesia is the most populous Muslim country in the world. However, you will find that most Indonesians are very open about their religion and respectful of the rights of others. Muslims here have no problem with patronising outlets that sell alcohol or non-halal food, even if they choose not to have any. In Malaysia, the Muslims make a big fuss over small things which they claim are not halal. You may argue that there are fanatics here, but the number is small relative to the population. Just look around Malaysia. Everywhere you look, you get fanatics.
2. The work ethic and culture here is better than in KL. People here are less racist. In Malaysia, you identify companies as Bumi companies, Chinamen companies, Indian companies and so on. Here, it is easy to work with people no matter what ethnic group. Again, you may mention the race riots during Suharto’s era, but the problem is practically non-existent in everyday life nowadays. People here respect talent and ability no matter your background, religion and skin colour.
3. There are unlimited opportunities here for those who want to do business. No such thing as Bumiputera quota, etc. If you see an opportunity, you are free to pursue it. Where Malaysia could once boast of being a strong regional player, our government is now coming here to woo Indonesian investors. I have dealt with local Indonesian companies for a number of years and all dealings are reasonably fair and transparent. This is unlike Malaysia where Bumiputeras are highly favoured no matter how incompetent.
4. Free and open press. It’s no secret our mainstream media is heavily self-censored, and Utusan is openly inciting racial hatred. Here, the Jakarta Globe and Jakarta Post are two publications that are highly regarded for their unbiased reporting and open criticism of the government. We are able to keep ourselves informed without having to log onto alternative news portals.
Of course, Indonesia shares some of Malaysia’s current shortcomings including widespread corruption, and the country is still very poor, but they are on the way up and it is only a matter of time before Malaysia is the one exporting maids to Indonesia.
There are those who will criticise my points above, but I believe the majority have never set foot in Jakarta and understand very little about the place. If you feel proud to be a Malaysian citizen, and look down on Indonesians, just remember that internationally, especially in the US or Europe, people generally put us on a similar standing as other Third World countries regionally.
* We asked readers who have migrated to tell us in their own words why they left. This is one of the stories.
People left to look for greener pastures overseas,career and business opportunities that have eluded them in their own country.Malaysians left not because they were suppressed in their rights to religions but more so on the government race policy therefore they felt that their children will have better career opportunities in their adopted countries.
ReplyDeleteThe writer should cut 'the bull-shit' about halal and non-halal excuses.The moslems would love to eat anything under the sun but since their religion forbids them they have to adhere to it.The Hindus do not eat cows or buffaloes because they are sacred to them and therefore their adherence to their religion ought to be respected in the same manner as moslems are and not subject to ridicule by those who seek shelters in foreign countries.
With regards to Indonesia in particular may I remind the writer that Malaysians never bomb buildings and tourist spots.We never have any intention to kill and harm tourists much less our own.These moslems extremists chose tourists spot such as nightclubs or discos because they considered them as 'haram' and a prominent hotel was bombed because of their hatred towards foreigners.
I would again agree on the writer on the career and business opportunities perhaps for reason that they are very keen to employ Malaysians due to the higher standard of education in our country.And again those institutions that are taking in foreign nationals and not Indonesians are simply because they are also foreign institutions with bases in Indonesia.As to business opportunities one can do it anywhere if only you have the will and money and not so much business openings that you can get because in malaysia business people still prosper and have better livings than Indonesians.
I do not wish to dwell in the 'politics' of newspapers in Malaysia compared to Indonesia because this is a simple fact of boycotting and discarding them totally if you just do not wish to read them.No people will want to migrate because their country's newspapers and electronic media are biased.
My message to the writer is 'you can do better than that'because the reasons or excuses that you gave are full of 'worms' and stinks to the core.
Memang betul orang Indonesia lebih terbuka dan menghormati agama orang lain.
ReplyDeleteMalaysian should learn from them...
ReplyDeleteask Indonesian who work here about their country.. sure they will say something bad to their country too..
ReplyDeleteSama ada Malaysia atau Indonesia, masing2 ada kelebihan dan kelemahannya. Adalah lebih baik kita bersikap sederhana dan berfikiran terbuka untuk mempelajari apa yang baik dari Indonesia. Mungkin dengan cara ini kita dapat maju setapak lagi ke depan. Selagi kita bersikap skeptik, ego, fanatik, pilih kasih...sampai bila2 pun minda akan berada di takuk yang lama.
ReplyDeleteWalaupun tahap ekonomi di Indonesia rendah berbanding negara kita namun kita sepatutnya tidak memandang rendah terhadap mereka. sebaliknya, pelajari nilai2 positif yang mereka amalkan untuk dipraktikkan di negara kita.
ReplyDeletesetiap negara ada kelebihan tersendiri..tapi saya bersyukur di Malaysia kita hidup dengan aman dan tiada keganasan seperti pengeboman dan sebagainya.
ReplyDeletejika di Indonesia banyak peluang mengapa masih ramai PATI dari negara itu sanggup datang ke sini???
Lain orang, lain pandangannya...so jgn la ambil berat sangat pandangan orang ni...yg penting kita di Malaysia khususnya di Sabah dapat hidup bersama tanpa gaduh2...
ReplyDeleteteringat pula berita tentang Penganut Ahmadiyyah dipukul & dibunuh di Indonesia...
Ekstremis di Indonesia juga rancang nak bunuh Presiden mereka dan ketua mereka sudah di jatuh hukuman kalau tidak silap 15 tahun penjara.Ini tidak berlaku di Malaysia.
ReplyDeleteThere is no such thing as a perfect country. Both Malaysia and Indonesia has its bad and good. Better to not look down in any countries instead learn from those countries.
ReplyDeletejika di Malaysia, penduduk Sabah dan sarawak yang lebih bersikap terbuka dan saling hormat-menghormati sesama agama.
ReplyDeleteSabah dan Sarawak juga mengamalkan semangat saling hormat menghormati agama orang lain.
ReplyDeleteMay I remind anonymous who comment first on top:
ReplyDeleteIndonesian bomber masterminds are MALAYSIANS..
to anonymous first comment:
ReplyDeletehigher standard of malaysians? don't make me laugh! you are third world country!