Re: Malaysian Politics
 

Exactly... very well put :thumbup: And I think most of the expats living in Malaysia who post on this board would agree with you.

Re: Why Retire in Malaysia?
 

I don't think a few reflections equate a discussion of politics in depth. Besides some folk have an interest in possible outcomes in a country they are considering investing and growing old in.

Re: Malaysian Politics
 

None of the above. But perhaps a little knowledge about the politics goes with understanding the nation as it is today.
For the record I think Malaysian politics has matured greatly over the years and continues to evolve. There is little doubt Malaysia is a fine country to live and the people are extremely pleasant.
Some folk may take a wider interest perhaps in a country that they may see out their days in and politics are part of the understanding of an adopted nation just as the history and language, as well as food and customs are.
Interesting how on another forum on Thailand how expats constantly rubbish the government and things Thai in general in what I would call rather excessive terms with little regards for any consquences.

Re: Malaysian Politics
 

I think it has been suggested that expats should get involved in local politics.Of course getting involved and observing and commenting on what's going on around the country one is living in is rather far removed is it not?

Re: Malaysian Politics
 

i think there is a fine line between observing, commenting and getting involved.

personally, as a malaysian, i would love to hear political opinions from non-natives. what i am saying is that i prefer not to hear them here, on this site, if i can help. if there is a site or forum devoted to just that, it would be interesting to see how local events are viewed from other cultures.

still, i am not "religiously" against it :) i think we humans are all connected, and so i actually welcome alternative views. it is just that i think politics is plain stupid at times, and so a dose of it from a political site ought to be enough for one day.

and anyway, i can always refrain from joining the political forum, so it's no big issue. go on then.

Re: Malaysian Politics
 

Err where did you read that? Link please.

Y'know... I'm a seasoned expat now. That's what I am and it's okay. Some folks like to pretend they're local and part of it. I was the same when I first moved to Singapore... but it does dawn on you eventually that you are not part of the country. Why would you be? You're a foreigner. And the politics has nothing to do with me. In Malaysia, it's for Malaysians to discuss and partake in. They're the ones who can make a difference.

Looking at it in a different way... if I was back in the UK my so called "homeland" (unlikely) I would be pretty p1ssed off if I heard foreign expats living there on a visa, chiming in about the UK politics. None of their business either.

But... that's just my opinion.... and as Sue has pointed out, there's nothing wrong with anyone on here discussing if they really want to. It's a discussion forum :)

Re: Malaysian Politics
 

Not so long ago, one certain forum administrator got arrested for what others put on that forum (in Thailand) :rolleyes: Who'd be an administrator eh? Not in Thailand anyhow.

Re: Malaysian Politics
 

or to put it another way, if i wish to apply for work permit in UK as a professional, and i advertise my services in a "MalaysianExpat" website, i really would'nt want my fellow countrymen shooting his mouth off on his opinion about how inefficient or unfair the UK government is in that forum.

it might delay my work permit for a bit. and for that i would not be grateful to that fellow countrymen. especially so if i am already in the UK on a holliday.

Re: Malaysian Politics
 

The beauty of being an expat is you have effectively escaped the politics back home and even if interested in Malaysian politics you can't vote so why bother. :pLets enjoy being ignorant and get fat on great Malaysian food I say:thumbsup:

Re: Malaysian Politics
 

Thanks, I'm glad someone reads it at least! I do try to write a bit and I got back into blogging because people asked me too though this week my internet has been patchy so no updates. Anyway, if you have any specifics that you'd like me to review (general concepts are good) then let me know. I've got some Indonesian guests coming over shortly, I'll see if I can squeeze something out of that.



Back on topic...



I think that ex-pats do have every 'right' to talk about the country they live in *but* I don't think we should badmouth it. I get defensive of people talking down about the NHS for example so I understand why people get annoyed. After all, we don't have to be here right? It's never going to be a 'western' country or the UK and why should it be?

We can and should however offer constructive criticism from our 'outsiders' view point. I for example wrote about the recent farce that Indonesia and Malaysia are having over their border. It has now got to laughable levels of stupidity and is starting to look like a sit-com, and not a good one either. I got people from both sides saying 'yes, well put' and thanking me for the contribution to the debate.

We can give insight that maybe 'locals' can't give becuase we come from a 'sterile' viewpoint and are untainted by being born here. For example a freind of mine has a bit of a thing against 'Chinese' Malaysians due to there upbringing, we all get these little things from our parents. And again to repeat what has been said to not contribute removes us from the country we reside in which is not good.

But all in all as everyone seems to be saying, Malaysia is pretty good and as the troubadour said it has evolved greatly in 57 years. I've got few complaints and those that I have are in line with most locals.

Re: Malaysian Politics
 

that is perhaps not Malaysian politics. more like ASEAN politics.

Re: Malaysian Politics
 

That was a typing error. Should have read........It has NOT been suggested.....Not sure people are getting a handle on what is being referred to here. It is not running for local politics or anything remotely similar.(as has happened in other parts of the world)
Politics may or may not have something to do with the country we decide to settle,especially when several possible options need to be withered down to a final choice.
I have for example met a person who clearly proclaimed that they would never live in a country that has the death penality on its books.
That strikes me as a rather political stance. I can actually think of a few countries around the world where folk unaware or more likely indifferent to the politics and history of the land they invested in look likely to have cost them their houses. Place being referred to here being of course Northern Cyprus.
Nothing similar to Malaysia but as the colonial days are long gone and potential incomers (in place of expats) may wish to have an understanding of a place to assist making a choice.
Others of course may decide to live far away from the ex pat bubbles that can to a induce a totally different perception from mixing with almost purely locals who do discuss issues around them.
As for using the UK analogy well if a foreigner comes to live in the UK one would have thought it would be in their own interests to familiarize themselves with the local scene. Doesn't mean that they'll run for mayor though.
But i would be a little more concerned perhaps that it does sound like a complaint was made for the administrator to become involved.

Politics actually is far down the list of my concerns as a day to day thing but can be difficult to avoid in its entirety so why such a fuss?
Avoid the thread would be rather easy would it not?

Re: Malaysian Politics
 

Just wonder if there is a particular reason why you would not want political discussion on this site while others are okay?
Easy enough to ignore the threat if not of interest as you stated.

Re: Malaysian Politics
 

Fully agree. Some sense finally. You know it would make me highly suspect of any country where ex pats shy away from discussion of a political nature. Almost sounds as if they are in fear of having their status removed.
I fully agree with the bad mouthing bit. Must admit I am rather horrified by the racist comments at times made on another forum from folk living in Thailand.
Your NHS analogy is sound in itself but a person who experiences a less than pleasant outcome has ever right to voice that in my opinion.Regardless of immigration status.
I know I have concerns here in Australia with certain issues around this subject but that's for another forum.

Now what is more interesting is what you write with regards to the across the Malaysian/Indonesian borders. I am unsure of what you refer to here.
At least it has not got anywhere near the farce that is happening on the Thailand/Cambodia border.

Indeed we are in agreement Malaysia is a pretty decent country to live. I am not so up on the latest but having lived a period of my life there in a non expat enviroment do lay some claim to having a certain knowledge of conditions there.

Re: Malaysian Politics
 

Some my choose the path of ignorance that is the individuals free choice. Meanwhile others may like to have an understanding with regards to what is happening in their adopted homeland.