Depends on what you want and value really. I've met colleagues whom had (or their partner had) Aussie PR 10-15 years ago, and now they regret for not maintaining it, too late for them to go back now (45+ years old) with no prospects of RRV. For you, whilst not a guarantee, pretty sure you'll stand higher chance than this colleague of mine since you seems to have a compelling reason (COVID) to justify for RRV.

I'm on similar boat, though in better shape since I've just gotten my PR so I have ~5 years to make my move there and to maintain my PR but job prospects are hard - at least when remotely applying. Still haven't packed up and just move yet as I'm trying to negotiate for internal transfer there (now with a PR in hand Company don't need to worry about visa).

Lifestyle definitely AU. Money definitely SG/HK due to low taxes.

I haven't moved there to AUS yet - still negotiating my move as I said. But tried job hunting and it's hard as I'm not physically there to attend interviews. Might end up detouring as well, as Company is considering to sending me elsewhere outside Malaysia than AUS considering the prospects/opportunities available at this moment (read: no openings in AUS right now and I told them clearly I'm not staying in M'sia beyond this year)

Not a migration agent/lawyer, but your case does sound legitimate and easily gets a RRV in my view. At least I know 2-3 people in my circle that got their RRV approved (tho AUS immi gave them a clear mandate to "come back or lose it going forward"), given the exact same COVID/Family situation/story.

If not mistaken when submitting for RRV there should be ways for you to upload letters (or provide justification) so perhaps best to write up a story based on circumstances you've just mentioned. I haven't gone thru this step myself personally but during my PR application I had to write some letters too, to explain some of my unique circumstances.

Thank you! Fingers crossed for myself. Am looking at similar pathway in case a direct transfer to AUS is not possible, i.e. via a temporary detour to somewhere else much better recognized than MYS (thru internal transfers to regional hubs) then use that experience to eventually align myself to AUS. Let's see!