If you’re well-acquainted with Malaysian people, you’d know that our unofficial national sport is complaining. We love to complain. Even or especially if it’s about our own country. We complain about the weather, our jobs, school, politics, having to walk under the sun, that random old lady across the street, that one too nosy Grab driver, that–the list goes on, but God forbid anyone say anything bad about our country.
That’s because if the complaint comes from a fellow Malaysian, we know that in most cases, it is said with the sentiment of a loving mother about her child. It’s different compared to when a non-Malaysian says it.
I must admit, I am guilty of this more times than I can count–though mostly regarding more sensitive issues that I will not touch today. Don’t get me wrong, I do love Malaysia. But like any other country out there, it has its pros and cons.
Having experienced living overseas further highlights the good and the bad. I do not miss the bad, but I can’t help but notice that there is one advantage Malaysia has that Australia and Japan do not. If the accounts of other foreigners from various other countries are anything to go by, many other countries do not as well.
And that is Malaysian culture is designed in such a way that makes it easy to live in.
Multiculturalism makes for easy living
Malaysia is a multicultural and multi-ethnic country, which means we are used to living with people from different backgrounds. I know, I know. It is not a perfect paradise. We do have our squabbles, but at the end of the day, we are able to live peacefully with one another.
This might not sound like a big deal, but if you really think about it, it is. In Malaysia, you don’t really have to experience the stress of trying to fit in (unless it is with your fellow racial peers). You’re a Muslim and you need to pray during work hours? No problem, go right ahead. You’re a non-Muslim and you want to eat pork? Have at it! Though it is not as readily available as halal food, pork is relatively plentiful. Are there churches there? Is Christmas a holiday there? Yes and yes. There are lots of churches that you can go to. And regarding Christmas, Malaysia is in fact so multicultural, various cultural and religious holidays are acknowledged and celebrated. How’s that for fun?
Photo by melissakartini
All of this is made all the more meaningful when you consider how readily Malaysians accept these differences. There is an inevitable understanding that there are different cultures and religions out there. And being raised in a multicultural environment means that we kind of have a built-in cultural radar in us.
Contrast this to countries where Muslims struggle to even get permission to pray at work. Where many people feel lonely during certain cultural or religious holidays because it’s just not celebrated where they live. Where… Need I go on?
So if you’re a foreigner who wishes to live in Malaysia, chances are you’d fit in quite comfortably.
The sheer variety of food
Courtesy of our multicultural environment, there is a variety of food to be had at just about every corner. Where else can you go to that can promise you an insane range of cuisines from all over the world–at just about your fingertips? It really isn’t uncommon for cuisines such as Malay, Indian, Chinese, American, Italian, Japanese and Korean to all be located in one building, with multiple restaurants of each type to boot. You’re simply spoiled for choice.
Again, contrast this to other countries where more often than not, foreign food is a lot harder to find.
It is for this reason that foreigners in Malaysia do not get hit by homesickness for their national cuisines as much. If they wish to eat something from their home country, they can usually easily find it at a nearby mall. It might not be exactly the same, but when it comes to authenticity, Malaysia comes pretty close.
English ability
Sure, not every single country in the world speaks English, but it is also taught as a second language in many, many countries the world over. So when you include English-speaking countries as well, that is a lot of potential Malaysian residents. And seeing that English is widely used in Malaysia (it is an active second language), this comes in handy for many foreigners who wish to move here.
In fact, English is so widely used that many foreigners manage to live here comfortably without knowing the national language, Malay. Of course, it is better to learn it, but it is possible to get by without it.
Other languages used in Malaysia include Chinese (Mandarin, Cantonese, Hokkien, etc), Tamil and in Malaysian Borneo, lots more. We have Malaysia’s diversity to thank for that!
Good healthcare
I might be biased, but I love Malaysian healthcare. Getting medical care in Malaysia is as easy as walking into a clinic, waiting for your turn and getting examined by a doctor. There is no need to set up an appointment; just walk in.
What’s more is that the medical fee is usually quite cheap. That isn’t, however, the reason why I like Malaysian healthcare, though. The reason I like it is that on top of being convenient, the doctors are very good at their job. They take extra care to examine their patients, and once they reach a diagnosis, they would explain the condition to said patient, even going as far as to explain how such a thing occurs and what lifestyle changes should be made. Once that is all done, you will receive your medication at the clinic itself. There is no need to search for a pharmacy for the medicine you need, pharmaceutical slip from the doctor in hand. Exactly zero need.
If you’re unfit for work? The doctor would decide how much medical leave you should take, which you can then present to your employer. Unless you work for a complete monster, there is no stigma surrounding taking leave, so go right ahead!
Great for travel
If you love to travel, then Malaysia’s location is the cherry on top of everything else. Malaysia is strategically placed close to Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, the Philippines and Vietnam–so if you’re feeling the itch for a quick getaway? Then you can book a flight ticket and spend the weekend at one of our neighbouring countries. I wouldn’t recommend it because I personally prefer long vacations, but you can. Plus, Malaysia is home to the world-famous budget airline, AirAsia. Which translates to super cheap flight tickets.
This shouldn’t be anyone’s sole reason to move to another country, but it certainly is a great perk.
After all, not every country has such convenient locations for travel. Some countries require seven or more hours of flight just to reach another country–which is not viable for a quick getaway.
Lack of natural disasters
During my one-year stay in Japan alone, I’ve already experienced more national emergencies than I ever had in my entire life in Malaysia. These natural disasters include devastating typhoons (most prominently the historic Typhoon Hagibis) and more earthquakes than I can count. Needless to say, after being spoiled with stability in Malaysia, I’m not especially fond of the heart attack-inducing earthquake alarm that my phone produces every time an earthquake is on the way. I would often wonder if that alarm would be followed by my apartment folding in on me–and thankfully, no such thing has happened. And may it not, ever.
So yes. Malaysia’s amazing geographical location that protects it from most major natural disasters, a definite plus. As much as I enjoy living in Japan, this particular aspect of it is enough to turn my hair white.
Call me paranoid, but I sleep with my emergency backpack by my bed.
The friendliness of Malaysians
I have saved the best one for last: good ol’ Malaysian-style friendliness. Certainly, not everyone across the board is friendly, but the majority are. If you’re keen to settle somewhere you’d feel right at home, Malaysia might be it.
While I’m one of the more uncommonly reticent Malaysians out there, this really is one of my favourite things about my country. It’s incredibly easy to make friends here, a fact that foreigners are often pleasantly surprised by. Malaysians are not shy to speak to foreigners and are usually excited to make new friends, going as far as initiating the conversation themselves. Many foreigners on the receiving end of such are genuinely touched by the sincerity that they had been greeted with, feeling as though they could make friends easily without issue.
Of course, not everyone is comfortable with such friendliness, but it is good to know that making friends isn’t hard to do in Malaysia.
