Reaching out to /k, many of whom are from all walks of life, very experienced and seen all there is to see in their corporate careers. Seeking advice and whether similar experiences have been encountered by more worldly, wiser heads than mine.

For 8 years I was in a stable MNC job in KL -- final base salary of ~RM40k, generous benefits, consistently 40 hour work week and rarely more. I was well-liked by my superior (the CEO), and I had a group of colleagues who became my friends who I also met outside office hours, which I regard as the high watermark for workplace friendship. 2 years ago due to various internal movements (i.e. some senior people left) I was earmarked as a potential future Country Head and things were looking rosy, though of course nothing was committed at these senior positions.

In early 2021, two things happened. The company had a change in ownership so the CEO was replaced, followed by some other changes in management. But my job remained unaffected, and the wider scope I was promised was still on the table for me. Around the same time I received a job offer from SG, offering $20k+ base. This was out of the blue given my age (early 40s), so I took this offer and moved over with my family (primary school children). I could say it was driven by personal reasons (for children future etc.), but to be honest I had no problem staying in KL my hometown.

12 months later, I find myself unable to move on from my previous job. This SG job has been great, after some initial challenges I have started to settle in. And moreover SG has been an easy place to adapt to. So I should have no complaints.

But I still think about my previous job. 12 months on I am still closer to my ex-colleagues in KL than my current colleagues in SG. I see my peers in other companies moving up and taking very senior positions in Malaysia, and constantly look back on what could have been had I stayed. I appreciate with new ownership and management things may not have been that great for me in the same company, but still I look back with rose-tinted glasses. The corporate setup in SG is such that there are many layers of management compared to in KL, so there is little chance for promotion within the next 5 years or more. It would also be tough to move back due to children's schooling, etc., and anyway my previous job has been filled.

Have you ever regretted moving on from your old job? How long before you got over it, or do you ever get over it?

Yup, wish I could but dunno how to.

12 months ago -- they have since filled the position through a (cheaper) internal promotion...

Very good advice, tq. Just at the moment cannot see/appreciate the benefits clearly, maybe it's temporary but maybe it's not?
And I think my situation same as yours re ex-colleagues vs. current....

Did you feel this way in your career too? Good things end it's true but it's easier to get over if it's outside your own control, no?
There are some CEOs who are Malaysian-born (i.e. ex-Malaysian), but yes I agree with you. In general, competition is stiffer here, basically talents from all over are attracted to work in SG so it also gets harder to rise to the very top of the tree. Anyway, the very top is only for the cream, not somewhere I think I can make it to...

yup very much like this, esp an ex-wife/ex-gf you left by your own choice.

True but would probably re-enrol in a govt/vernacular school in KL. I also schooled this way, happy with my experiences there

Thank u. I appreciate your sharing, I suppose just need to appreciate the good times for what they are, and be thankful we were lucky enough to experience them.

Private edu is a possible avenue. But I appreciate la that having children adjust again within the space of one year can't be good for their development. Another reason why hard to move back. Are you in SG? Was it a tough move?


fair point, but i subscribe to saying that "if we don't move forward we end up moving backward". So in any new job I try to think of the next step at the start, if there is pathway to somewhere else then it makes me perform better. The alternative of aspiring to stay in the same position for x years is scary to me, but each person has their own approach

ok i accept ur point. On kids education i really dunno, as i feel that the edu pathway in SG is quite uncertain, very dependent on own kids' ability. in Msia, more certainty and options to ensure ur kid has a good degree.
But on politics, i give u a counter-argument -- that songlap news doesn't affect our lives as much as we think. I used to think so too, always read news get upset here and there. But end of the day, it didn't really affect my day-to-day life, or maybe i just cannot see it yet.

Yes I am, with very few hobbies and social life. I define myself by my career, hence ex-colleagues being big part of my KL life.

true. but when weighing things up to decide whether to move, usually the topic of children's future comes up and carries big weight in decision. and ppl usually come to the conclusion that it's better in SG. I did too, but can't remember exactly why. maybe i was swayed by domestic news and stuff like that at the time

there were plenty of frustrations too of course, and turnover was actually quite high (i was lucky), but looking back i only remember the good stuff. i work in a niche part of financial services supporting commercial institutions

i didn't mean to come off as having 'tidak apa' view towards the songlap, and i realise my comment might be taken the wrong way so i apologise if could have worded better. of cos its not good in the long run, who can deny this? but my original point is whether ppl make decisions to move country based on macro issues like corruption? usually its micro issues like job opportunity, living standards, etc. more specific to the person and their family . e.g. i wouldn't move to Switzerland just because corruption is low. if i moved its because i see myself having a better life there for whatsoever reason

yes, i guess buying power has reduced due to ringgit depreciation. but i must admit to me it felt quite gradual since 2015 when GST came in (altho I haven't been in Msia a lot over past 1 year so dunno current situation)