RM26k a Month in KL

Hello Echino,
I don't think its crazy to negotiate a salary that will put you where you want to be financial. If they need your talent to fill a spot they will take it seriously. There are a lot of points to be taken into account when considering moving to another country. Too many to list here but keep in mind that salary is only one. Companies making offers to attract talent and knowledge that they cannot find are willing to accept that they must pay for it. If you offer is to high, they will let you know. Then again, they might accept it without question. Would't that be an eye opener. I've been working outside my country (USA) for over thirty years and enjoy it. Go for the high salary!
Best Regards
Mike Silvia

echino, let me ask u this. why do u wanna move to kl? it cannot be purely salary as u probably wouldnt be considering the offer. keep that reason in mind. but i agree its a tough decision. i know because ive made that tough decision too mate.

my view is get ur company to cover your kids education expenses. even better, ur housing too. 25k is a good offer already, but no harm in making it sweeter :-) btw the taxes in singapore is 20%

btw ive thought bout the live in malaysia and get my salary transferred elsewhere :-) i moved here from dubai where theres no taxes. i still have an active bank account there. however, i have to submit my contract that includes my salary. so my income is recorded. death and taxes mate :-) cant escape them.

Thanks for your perspectives. Really appreciate what you're saying. If I was in my 20s, it won't have been any issues at all. Having a family and mortgages, the game kinda shifts for you. Suddenly, there are more hygiene factors to consider. Education. Moving costs. Trips home etc.

So what I'm hearing is that 25k is a big deal for an expat who is expected to bring change expertise to the country. If you're lucky, you get housing and education thrown in. Fair enough. Any one wants to provide a counter argument?

I'm speaking to a contact in Korn/Ferry this weekend. Keen to hear what she says from the employer perspective.

Edit: Mikesilvia - Must have missed your post earlier. Thanks for the vote of support. Let's see how far we can take this.

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coooolguy_tdh, is ur package mgr a local malaysian?

tee7 wrote:

coooolguy_tdh, is ur package mgr a local malaysian?

Nope hes a Chinese..!
Local package managers having same position as his are getting half of wot hes getting..! Irony of their lives..!!

Most Real Estate agents are con-man & scam-bags.
You visit
I-smart Realtors for example and you will see they don't even have a license to run a business.

You must be out of your mind that Real Estate people driving Mercedes.

I-smart Real Estate Edwin drive BMW but he started only 6 months ago,means maybe he is renting or stolen,
How I know I met him even he is using his friends fake licence to run the business, I did report him and he is keep paying the compound or he is paying through his way.

isles international university supposed to be private uni runs by Sundeep Sing originally from Sabah.
Go to website you see yourself,
I reported and nothing happened, he is still sells Fake degree MBA Prof, and much more,
Go ahead and enjoy yourself,I know what I am talking about.

Malaysia BOOLEH

taslik wrote:

Most Real Estate agents are con-man & scam-bags.
You visit
I-smart Realtors for example and you will see they don't even have a license to run a business.

You must be out of your mind that Real Estate people driving Mercedes.

I-smart Real Estate Edwin drive BMW but he started only 6 months ago,means maybe he is renting or stolen,
How I know I met him even he is using his friends fake licence to run the business, I did report him and he is keep paying the compound or he is paying through his way.

isles international university supposed to be private uni runs by Sundeep Sing originally from Sabah.
Go to website you see yourself,
I reported and nothing happened, he is still sells Fake degree MBA Prof, and much more,
Go ahead and enjoy yourself,I know what I am talking about.

Malaysia BOOLEH

I could not make out whom are you addressing to in your post here..!

Hi there @Nemodot, I kinda sense some kind of frustration in your posts, mostly with what you think is happening in Malaysia. I can also appreciate the emotion around your posts, seemed like you care enough to elaborate and clarify.

However, I think getting 26K every month can get you by in KL, even quite comfortably. I don't agree that 26K is a lower middle class salary (or income? I got lost in the income versus salary part).

Or maybe I am just from a more "humble" part of the society

26k is lower middle class salary. Lets take a CEO salary

On the table 30k per month.

"under the table" 8-10 million rm per year. this is via contracts awarded to his wife etc

Net result 180,000 rm per month plus

Heart surgeon. Works for government 70k per year. Private 140-200k per MONTH (I knew some when I lived here ten users ago. That was 2004 figures)

Upper middle class get 100k.per month plus. Look at all the 3 million rm houses and 1 million mercs on the road.

They get those on 10k a month? No way!

Don't compare wage slaves in Malaysia with UK. In UK we live in a socialist economy with mostly wage earners. Malaysia is a capitalist society where even wage earners often have other incomes. From asking DVDs to bank workers using cheap loans to run a shop. anyone with ambition runs own business as working as a wage slave is awful here as pay low.

Ten years ago supervisors (not manager grade) earnt 12k per month with overtime. They moans not enough and had businesses on.the side.

Some.in credit had 20 bungalows and a fleet of mercs. You do that math!

I think the Malaysian option is probably not a good one for you as the general standard of living (even for expats - meaning the surroundings and local conditions you LIVE IN every day - not your personal space) are nothing like your wildest dreams compared to Australia. Schooling will take up to RM25-50k per child, depending on their age and which school they attend. Although not a fan of living in Australia, it would be a huge culture shock for your family to live in Malaysia, a long way from family and friends. In a way you would be competing with the most professional people in Malaysia and subject to all the problems that come with visible wealth e.g. crime. Most high earners and the wealthy have drivers and body guards these days.

Its a big thing relocating for work. Often there is no way back, as once you are out of the local market, people don't always want to hire you back and it can be an anti-climax going home after some rip-roaring adventures. If you have a Malaysian employment pass then the tax would be payable in Malaysia, apart from whatever portion you can manage to have paid outside. Not sure what the rules are about this - your company would know.  In short, Living in Malaysia is still an adventure in a developing country.

A tax rate of 15% SGD vs 26% RM is totally different due to the currency rate?

Assuming the tax amount is RM 50K = RM 13,000 but if the tax is SGD 50K = SGD 7500

Which is equivalent to RM 19,334.33.

Just my 2 cents worth

Just to ask since i am also considering moving to Malaysia from India, due to my wife ( a malaysian ) not able to adjust to the weather in India. The salary i am offered in the line of expertise i have is not much ( Logisctics ) about RM 10k per month in Penang. Together we will have around RM 14k monthly as disposable income on hand and less the tax ( i am not sure about the 26% part for me as i am on social pass and i need to be above RM 100k to fall under that bracket but since there are some exemptions which i can show which will help me tide over the same and allowances for tax benefit) and other home expenses Car / House EMI etc will lead to around RM 7-8K for saving monthly and once we have our child, we will maybe save around RM 4K rest all remaining constant ( Salary and rising exp rate).

Does anybody here have comments to be made on the same, just for the sake for arguement, i am from a normal background but RM 10k is lesser than what i am making in India and this is purely personal decision to get us settled in. I am anyways looking for better options as well which i am not sure would be easier for me since i am still here and not got into the Malaysian market.

Finally did the two guys for whom all have been commenting on finally take the plunge or no. any updates there.

Hi if less than what you earn in India then a bad package as cheaper to live in India. So financially a bad idea. But with the wife I guess you are not worried about that. You will be pay 26% flat rate tax as a non-resident for the first 6 months then claim back later. You can live off that, but Penang has very high cost of housing.

If you have an LTSVP you can get permission to work, but many employers don't know this. Obviously though long term you want PR you should use the LTSVP route. However don't hold your breath! Min 5 years and wait is longer if non Muslim and especially if Indian......... although I do get the impression things have improved recently. So maybe you would get it eventually (most I know who did waited 12-15 years for PR)

hi nemodot,

Thanks for the information. yes i have LTSP, i was not using the same for employment but only to avoid the visa hassles for the past few years. I can have the work permit and yes i do have my own house in penang , medium cost place post downpayment etc, the monthly EMI coming to around RM 1k. But the quality of life is better in Malaysia as India is getting too competetive and leading to no sleep only work kind of a methodology leading to no personal or social life other than making money. lets see i am checking internally if my company can help me relocate as well as i work with MNC Courier Organisation.

It boils down to what kind of lifestyle you want, whether you want a moderate or lavish lifestyles.

RM 14K per month is definitely OK as I had seen couples with 3 children having no more than RM3K per month income.

Most of the basic expenses may include the following:
1. Rental / House
2. Transportation (inclusive of maintenance/insurance)
3. Schooling children (if any)
4. Holiday's
5. Food
6. Health Insurance
7. Clothing/accessories
8. Misc expenses

Hi,

I would be moving to KL on a RM 10k salary, will that help cope with expat standard of living?
Please suggest areas to look for accommodation which are close to Southgate commercial Centre. Please advise on cheapest mode of transport. What will be the tax deduction after first 182 days?