Hi All,

Currently having a dilemma in my career choice.
Tendered resignation after work passes approved in SG this week but got counter offer.
Would like to seek opinions from sifus, which one would you all choose?

Malaysia:
MYR6,900
Banking industry
Counter offer RM10,000 + 2 level promotion (which will increase my future increment)

Benefits:
1) bank (iron rice bowl)
2) 3-6 mths bonus
3) 27 days annual leave
4) retirement benefit (last drawn salary X years worked)
5) 2% housing loan
6) very likely to reach 17k~20k & management level in 5 years time

Consideration:
1) High tax bracket
2) economic/political concern?
3) less spending power compared to SG (vacation, gadgets)
4) need to maintain excellent performance due to high expectation

Singapore:
SGD5,800
Payment industry, MNC

Benefits:
1) 1.5 mths bonus (can go up to 150% depending on performance)
2) 16 days annual leave, yearly +1 day until max 23 days
3) more spending power, x3.3 exchange rate
4) lower tax bracket
5) international exposure
6) reviews say more work life balance

Consideration:
1) Told them the counter offer but they can't increase the budget due to salary being one of the main point for my work passes being approved
2) Career prospects unknown
3) GF is working at SG for 2 years already (3k SGD)
4) job security, seems like lots of SG MNC are moving their operations to SEA countries like Msia, Thai & Viet

Most people held back from moving to SG due to personal and attachment reasons (family, personal commitments etc)

Since your gf already there, I'll say just go for it. Better for your relationship and both of you can work out your future as well (settle there or move back to Msia eventually)

Also

Don't think these should be considered a guarantee. Anything can happen within 5 years.

This post has been edited by ZeneticX: Aug 23 2025, 02:16 PM

No such thing as iron rice bowl anymore.

Looks like the 1.5 months bonus is not guaranteed.

Only when resigned, got counter offer. Even accept, also environment or atmosphere will be different at same company. Last2, resign juga.

Go work in SG bro, I also work in banking / insurance industry in Malaysia, but it's not what it was 10 / 15 years ago. Nowadays working banks and insurance doesn't guarantee anything. I just got put in PDP, and if I fail the PDP, they will have a reason to fire you. Nowadays there is no such thing as loyalty to a company anymore. Just go wherever the money is.

Somemore u have a GF there. It's a no-brainer. I can't go to SG because my wife and kids are in KL. If I'm single, I long time migrate there work already lor.

Go sg experience
Then migrate australia

Is there a place waiting for u to stay in SG ? If yes then go lar

The 1.5 months bonus is written into contract, so should be somewhat guaranteed I guess?

Looks like everyone here is leaning to SG 🤔

I'm in payment industry too - Fintech MNC SG. For $5.8K, how many years of experience is this for? IT or non-IT role?
That would be a better gauge.

If go SG, will look for a new master room to rent with my gf.

5 years experience.

Lol

Ok. This's about right. Anyway, I had starting pay as such >10 years ago. Since then, salary went up exponentially. So if you ask me, my vote is SG.

Take SG offer.

Actually they already planned for my succession. Promoted me last year, and already decided to promote me this year(Sept is the promotion month).
They don't have any other youngster in the team and I am one of the pioneer for the critical project.

nia ma

like this also need to think,
10k++ vs 20k +-

SINGAPOK la

Sorry to break it to you, you're not as important as you think you are.

You're still young and naive, move around and gain some experience.

What was the reason you looked out from your current role? If there are any other push factors other than monetary, better to just leave. Rule number 1 in resignation is never to accept counter-offer once you have given the resignation letter. Can negotiate salary BEFORE resignation, not after.

Purely from monetary, RM 10k will give you better lifestyle here than SGD 5.8k. But need to consider future as well. SG has much more exciting roles and at the same level of career will give you better lifestyle until the senior roles. At senior level, Malaysian banking salary should give you better lifestyle as you can control your spending here better than in SG.

Also, if you skip this opportunity, not easy to go to SG after this.

Well the statement 'can go up to 150% depending on performance' is 1.5 months bonus though.
so whats their real intention?

Generally leaning towards SG for better future.
If not married or commitments here, all will say go SG.

Half of the reason is my gf, we have been on LDR for 2 years+, but one thing to consider is that she prefers Msia lifestyle.

About monetary factors, I am still pondering whether the new company can give me the raises like now, I have worked here for 4 years+ with consistent 10~20% increment (I started with RM3,500).

I think the main factor holding me back is the fear of leaving comfort zone and jump into the unknown territory.

One side of me is thinking why bother going if I already can live comfortably with big house & car. Another side is thinking why not take the risk and explore more when I am still young.