Im bachelor degree holder, Im working with a private college. before I join this college I also got 2 other jobs with a relatively same salary. but I chose academic line because I love teaching and doing research.

a bit fact; there are 14ooo PhD holders and 1426 Prof. in Malaysia. of course not an absolute number.

if the reason of further study in PhD is solely on passionate for finding the truth, just go for researches (we got several research centers in Malaysia) where there are longer time limit for you to spend.
but another reason to further PhD, there is limitation on budget to do a research. though Im working in a college with a good equiptment, still, I cannot do any research cause Im not a master or a PhD holder, thus no grant given to me.