Even though RM is not doing well but AUD is not doing well either so the exchange rate remain unchanged since last year.
What i observe is only increased 10cent so far.
The biggest challenge so far in Malaysia is inflation. I went back last December realising the value of items i get in KL is far expensive for the same item i bought from Australia.
Starting from normal clothing to food. I won't compare dairy products coz Oz is damn cheap.
I'm comparing clothing, shoes, gadgets, groceries & coffee...
I found that normal T-shirt in Jusco is selling RM35 = AUD12. Serious?? I bought here only $5 with nice printing design. $12 i can get some nice quality clothing from Target.
Nike/adidas....or whatever can get @ $30/pair. KL i think minimum RM200?

I bring back AUD2500 for 2 weeks spending and guess what, nothing left. I'm not big spender, just like normal spending. What scares me i bought milk powder and dypers for my boy and i already pay out RM150 from pocket.
That's last year before GST. I wonder how a normal family income gonna survive thru.

I felt the pinch since 2011 and foreseen this would happen and quickly apply for PR and get a job here so that family won't suffer.

I even manage to pay off my mum's operation cost. No way i could afford to pay if i'm still in MAS.

It's really sad and distressing seeing MAS heading this way. Really need to get Najib administration butt kicking

more and more singaporean will fly over coz the currency parity.

Moved to Melbourne 8 years ago, graduated few years ago in accounting and finance. Worked for big 4 in kl and tapped out cause of stress. Went back to melbourne to start as a bookkeeper on 20 hours a week tomorrow. Wonder if leaving Big 4 without 3 years experience is worth it.... Took me about six months to one year searching while on Centrelink to get that bookkeeper job too and the pay is so little. Good thing is I live with my parents so I dont have to pay for anything.

But sometimes I do get the "the grass is greener in Malaysia" feel and think about lost opportunities. Anyways keep this thread hot and popular cause i'm very interested in stories of new migrants like me and whether or not leaving big4 in kl was the right move.    Anyone can comment on the economic climate in Malaysia at the moment ?

Agree with the few posts. Inflation is shocking. Havent been back for 1 yr, and price hikes v noticeable. I really empathize with those working there.

Comparatively speaking, groceries, baby stuff all so much cheaper in oz. even eating out, KL has caught up with Aust pricing. Without currency conversion of course.

I guess we migrants who moved 10-15 yrs ago had it easier. Easier to get in, jobs more plentiful. Now though it seems the job market is unstable and there is a conscious move to casualization or contracting. Still I venture it wouldnt be so rosy in Msia as well. Even if u can land a job, one would struggle with the high costs of living.

Moved to Melbourne 8 years ago, graduated few years ago in accounting and finance. Worked for big 4 in kl and tapped out cause of stress. Went back to melbourne to start as a bookkeeper on 20 hours a week tomorrow. Wonder if leaving Big 4 without 3 years experience is worth it.... Took me about six months to one year searching while on Centrelink to get that bookkeeper job too and the pay is so little. Good thing is I live with my parents so I dont have to pay for anything.

But sometimes I do get the "the grass is greener in Malaysia" feel and think about lost opportunities. Anyways keep this thread hot and popular cause i'm very interested in stories of new migrants like me and whether or not leaving big4 in kl was the right move.    Anyone can comment on the economic climate in Malaysia at the moment ?

Agree with the few posts. Inflation is shocking. Havent been back for 1 yr, and price hikes v noticeable. I really empathize with those working there.

Comparatively speaking, groceries, baby stuff all so much cheaper in oz. even eating out, KL has caught up with Aust pricing. Without currency conversion of course.

I guess we migrants who moved 10-15 yrs ago had it easier. Easier to get in, jobs more plentiful. Now though it seems the job market is unstable and there is a conscious move to casualization or contracting. Still I venture it wouldnt be so rosy in Msia as well. Even if u can land a job, one would struggle with the high costs of living.

I am not a financial analyst or economist by a long shot, but my current observations reminds me of 1997 Asian Financial Crisis, indonesia and malaysia both currently have had 10% slide in currency, yuan has been devalued and the US is expected to raise interest rates soon, this again will impact our currencies.

I am certain we will see the next wave of migrants and would be migrants soon leaving malaysia.

Regarding jobs, yes there are more jobs in malaysia but the pay is is still lagging behind, you would be hard pressed to recoup you education cost.

Prices of all goods are up across the board, dollar for dollar, the cost of living in malaysia to me is much higher the Australia or US.

Business is down in all sectors especially retail, i work for a warehouse /logistics firm and i can tell you first hand cargo movements are down both export and import.

were in for a rough ride, our reserves are down below a USD100 B. I doubt BNM will use the reserves to defend the currency,

our parents went thru 1997 and it was a painful time , now we have to go thru it

aud is better than rm

But sometimes I do get the "the grass is greener in Malaysia" feel and think about lost opportunities. Anyone can comment on the economic climate in Malaysia at the moment ?

Being in Big 4, do you get a work life balance? Most ppl I know don't. They work crazy hours.
Do u think the grass is greener in MY? Can u cope with the long working hours, stress, traffic, crime, pollution? Not to mention the high costs of living (food, transport, health). I mean, unless u have bought a place 20 years ago, u would b struggling to buy property in the Klang Valley. Prices ($ to $) is equal to Mel/Syd. U most likely would b forced to drive in Malaysia, and even a basic car would set u back 30K.
By the way if u r still keen on Big 4, u can always try to apply again here. I worked for them, with them on a few projects, and the only good things I can say about them is that (i) I learnt to use Excel so much and (ii) looks damm good in the CV. Much rather get a reasonable full time package at a big corp, work there 10-20 years, hope for voluntary redundancy.

You're definitely right about the cost of living in Malaysia. Jobs are aplenty but the pay scale is not; it cannot seem to meet the current cost of living. For the low-medium income groups specifically.

Eating out isn't cheap anymore. Thank god for the internet & recipe blogs/ books. I've learnt to cook most things I like to eat (like pesto, pasta, gourmet burgers) and it reduces the cost significantly. 1 meal outside is worth the food of 4 people, if you cook at home. Plus it is healthier too.

Eating out in KL is approx RM7, for basic kopitiam. Sorry, u want to eat healthy as well? Add more money pls.

Years ago...groceriy bill for family of 4 is RM1200. That excluded extravagant or luxury food but not cheap arse as well. That fell to AUD400 when we moved. So much more bang for yr bucks in Ozland. Also can eat more quality stuff...olive oil, fresh veg etc....

Food of thought.

Scenario 1:-
Great job experience, friends and family around but low pay. Affecting lifestyle on inflation and traffic. High price on property, cars gadget

Scenario 2:-
Low job prospect, family away but moderate pay. Good lifestyle, low inflation and traffic. Moderate property, cheap cars and gadget.

I have the same situation back home. You'll get high prospect in carrier but if you landed kangaroo land, back home experience is zero. So why not build your work experience here?

Malaysia is the best place if you're on an expat package