With so many opportunities in Malaysia, I wonder why some Malaysians want to work abroad illegally.
Moreover, should something go wrong, there will be neither family members nor friends to seek help from.
One should be wary of overseas job scams that promise social benefits.
For example, in Australia, medical consultations and procedures are free, but patients have to buy their own medicines.
People in Australia take out expensive medical insurance to avoid having to pay for expensive medications.
Recently, I took my brother-in-law to Kuala Lumpur Hospital, where he had consultations, magnetic resonance imaging and other procedures and medicines, all for free.
My wife and I enjoy free consultations and medicines for diabetes and hypertension.
I have free blood tests and other tests regularly that have kept me healthy at 70 years of age.
In the past, people migrated overseas to give their children a good tertiary education.
From the 1960s to the 1980s, there were lack of places at local universities, so people had to go overseas to further their education.
However, with the rapid improvement of tertiary education in Malaysia in the last two decades, coupled with the establishment of foreign institutions here, our tertiary education opportunities are plenty.
If people want their children to experience foreign cultures, they can sign them up for twinning programmes with local institutions that have tie-ups with foreign universities.
People need to be careful when they seek migration overseas.
Quality of life must be taken into account as well.
For example, a person who earns RM150,000 per year in Malaysia may have a better quality of life than a person who earns A$150,000 (RM447,000) in Australia.
A 93sq-m apartment in the Sydney city centre costs around A$1.5 million, but the cost of the same apartment in the Kuala Lumpur city centre may amount to RM1.5 million or less.
Taxes are higher in Australia and the higher cost of goods there may lead to low level of savings.
Food is more expensive in Australia.
Malaysia has vast opportunities for those who are enterprising and are prepared to work hard.
THOMAS FOO
Subang Jaya, Selangor