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.

SG any day.... Might be your best decision ever

Something to take note as well is in SG, most senior nonC-Suite salary is around SGD 15k to 25k unless you are in special roles.

In Malaysia, can go from 20k to 50k. Bonuses in Malaysia is also typically better in terms of multiplier. At this level, I personally prefer to be in Malaysia as life here is less stressful.

Most people who goes to SG will not see such fast salary growth. But I have seen some that shine as well, really depends on individual. For you, I suggest that you go if you intend to make it work with gf. Just go and try it out, and then if things don't work out, can always come back. It is easier to come back than to go to SG once your salary goes above RM 10k as you will likely not be willing to take the lifestyle hit.

Also depends on which area of banking are you doing? If you can give me broad description, I can give better advice.

If u hv a big house and big car here, then stay. I dont think u will like taking public transport … also also sana punya working style different.

This post has been edited by LDP: Aug 23 2025, 03:21 PM

Thanks for the advice. I am specialized in credit card, specifically as a programmer.

Still young. Of course, go for the money and pusi...got water face summore

Can gain extra Star ✨ after being cop verified as PR in Singapore

After Singapore, try to get higher by going to Oz... You'll gain double Star and probably new pusi

Why waste time in Boleh Land where bandits ,idiots and monkeys live

This post has been edited by boyboycute: Aug 23 2025, 03:35 PM

Need more money sg lo.

20% is usually when you are promoted. Typically 5%-10% for FinTech MNC. 10% also means you are really outstanding.
You are right about comfort zone. Suggest tahan long enough to get PR so that you are not held at ransom. SG is banking heavily on banking/fintech.
However, a caution is to settle down, can be pricey as HDB are getting more expensive, month by month. However, the amount you bring back eventually to MY, will be a lot if you work hard / smart.. To put in perspective, with combine salary of just $30K/mth, you are drawing RM1M/year in salary. This is quite achievable in banking/fintech space. However, likely by then, you would have changed your nationality..

This post has been edited by gnc88: Aug 23 2025, 04:11 PM

Take counter offer rm 10k

Sg 5.8k in singapork is nothing after minus off ur accomodation and food etc. Its like earning 5.8k in malaysia. Unless u willing sacrifice ur time and health travel everyday to jb.

No brainer, take my 10k counter offer.

Join the M’sia bank but ask to work out of JB branch if have. Nearer to your GF.

I voted for ts to stay

10k in Malaysia, saving on rental

Already a good deal.

With career prospects in Management level

Career for guy is important
You go SGD5k salary is nothing wokay after minus rent

You can always fly SG or she fly to u for LTR
If love is strong 💪
You must able to provide financial stability prove to her

Girl like alpha male in Management

edited double post

This post has been edited by Mr.Robert: Aug 23 2025, 05:34 PM

Accomodation in singapore is expensive

1 masterbed room in singapore vs whole condo to yourself in malaysia

can't own your own place until many years later means a lot of the extra money earned is used for rent

I had the same dilemma before. stayed in malaysia and moved to europe eventually

Stay in Malaysia for sure.

$5k is not great at all.

RM10k in Malaysia is quite comfortable. Better build up career and seniority in Malaysia first.

How is your life in Europe now?

$5k is actually nothing in SG

Dream come true. You can see where I work and travel here:

https://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopic=5403291&hl=

https://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopic=5426670&hl=

https://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopic=5468704&hl=

https://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopic=5395991&hl=

Look at annual compensation. With the counter offer, you are getting 150-180k. SG offer is 78k SGD, which is less than 50% dollar to dollar. Normally people will move from MY to SG for 60-80% dollar to dollar.

You should do your own calculation to include employer EPF and LHDN tax compared to no CPF and lower IRAS tax. Include also rental cost and generally higher cost of living. The reason is because 5.8k sgd is quite low, your disposable income is gonna be quite little. If you are comparing 20k MYR vs 10k SGD, it would be a different story.

This post has been edited by jaapers: Aug 23 2025, 06:40 PM

I tot IT fresh grad starting pay in SG is already sgd4500.

more work life balance in SG?

I guess that's just more than the hectic job at SG. Probably still considered hectic by malaysian.

IT programmer in bank? Then no need think, terus go SG la...

RM10k is also nothing in MY in 2025. Ayam serious.

First thing u should consider is ur place of living at sg. The cost of rent vs ur msia.

Go SG...your gf also there what?

Go SIngapore. You will learn a lot more things than working in a toxic environment based on skin colour.

Any openings?
Fintech as well, MNC

Ts... You say naik pangkat but tonwhat level? If naik to manager level then consider staying. Because getting manager level is a milestonenthat will unlock a lot of experience.

If you go sg you still become Kuli. And in sg it's very hard to naik pangkat because it's competitive. Is say get manager level experience. Get the status in your resume first, then next time try again at job hopping also no problem.

10k is nothing in malaysia go sg maybe can apply pr after few years

if you need resign to trigger their counter offer then i dont think they will automatically add you up to 20k in 5 years. echo-ing one of the reply here, we as a corporate slave are not important as we might think, although we might feel we are important after some words from the management. but once we quit, they can find other replacement in no time.

what i m saying here is i would recommend to put that feeling aside when comparing 2 options. always compare what they offer now.

regarding the comparison, i think you need to compare deeper into the lifestyle, whats the cost of stay there, what the rooms there feels like, whats the nett saving, whats the entertainment you need after tired work? rm10k is not much in 2025 but what kind of stay can you get with rm10k vs. 5.8k sgd in singapore? i think you can get more input from your gf . i dont think its simple as 5.8k*3. but if reputable good mnc then its good exposure. singapore also need to maintain high performance one, else why mnc pay you converted 18k+myr

This post has been edited by NoobHacker: Aug 24 2025, 10:10 AM

Assistant Manager level.

Hmnn then up to you.

Asst manager is still Kuli level. It just means youre considered for manager level.

Manager really different level becaus youre in charge of a team. And that is usually a huge step up in responsibility and experience.

Hi TS,

As someone who have undergone similar path, I would advise you to go Sg based on your given pros and cons.

Besides career and progression, you need to think on a macro level for your life, family and country. Would Malaysia be better off for you and your offsprings in the next decade or so? You will likely be jumping ships in Sg for higher salaries and all.

Sg is still the better choice unless you are getting 20k in Malaysia vs 6k sgd in Singapore.

TS, in your case I would remain in the current company in Malaysia.

For IT related, I suggest going to SG if you intend to continue to go deeper into technical role. IT roles in Malaysia are somewhat more restrictive as Malaysia banks typically do not appreciate technical expertise as much. This is not limited to IT roles alone, specialised technical roles such as quants in Risk Management, structured product / derivative pricing and modelling roles are usually more valued in Singapore than in Malaysia, especially at the more senior levels.

For management roles, I think Malaysia may offer a better path as effort to salary ratio is lesser. Plus, the salary gradient here is steeper when compared to Singapore. That is of course if you can get up to that level.

AM at 10k? You must be at the top end of the salary band. The only AMs that I know that are at 10k are those who has been in the bank more than 15-20 years who has reached the salary cap based on union agreement.

This post has been edited by DoomCognition: Aug 24 2025, 04:06 PM

Singapore gives you regional and international exposure. My friend works for HP in Singapore but now is a local director and reports direct to US.

KL need to rent? Is your family here? Any strong attachment to friends, family or gf ?

TS should map out the expenses MY vs SG and calculate future investments eg property, retirement etc

Compare job package no use

Chinese?

Is a little too late in the game

Now 2025

All senior management positions so easy enter meh

This is one of the more astute and realistic posts in the thread.

TS could benefit by paying heed to DoomCognition's words.

If choose to stay in KL I will buy a house with staff housing loan. My siblings and parents are all in KL (hometown Kelantan). No particular strong attachment as already get used to be away from home since university.

Yes.

But if you live in Singapore, you have to rent instead. it will be a while before you can get your own place

Yes, fastest also 4 years baru can buy a hdb.

TS, if u intend to climb the corporate ladder, SG is a better choice, in terms of exposure and work culture

Make the move before your salary hit rm10k as HR over there tend to justify the conversion rate and low ball you because competition is stiff there and they have a huge talent pool to choose from

Also, make the jump before you start a family. Priorities will change when you have children and getting older

Where else, if you intend to branch out into business down the road, MY would be a better and more ideal choice

Lastly ask yourself, you can tahan living in a condo or HDB for the rest of your life?

Test SG market. I was from there before moving to Aussie and now UK occasionally due to governmental collaboration efforts. If you dont like the lifestyle, can always go back MY

Seems both KL and SG need to pay rent, not much attachment at KL.

SG lo. Easy choice.

Can always retire back in Malaysia. Big profit with currency conversion

If you're type C can mandarin can English going to Singapore is a no brainier. Banking sector when you reach over 40s be prepared to be assigned to menial tasks that makes you feel frustrating