After spending 4 months here, I began to comprehend why you can find a lot of Malaysians in Australia. I shall present my findings here and make a very simple conclusion.
1. We are in the Commonwealth Nation and were once sang “God Save The Queen” as our national anthems.
2. We drive on the same side of the road. Unlike the States and major parts of Europe, we are all right-hand drive.
3. We share a common language i.e. English. Malaysian learn English in schools and not French, Spanish, German etc as their second language.
4. We share the common government style. There’s a federal government and state government.
5. We need to stick “P” after passing drive license and we need to stick “colored” sticker at the bottom left side of the car front window panel.
6. We share the same meaning of “stars” in our country flag. Malaysia’s 14-point star symbolises 13 states and 1 unit of 3 Territories while Australia biggest stars (a 7-point star) on their flag symbolises 6 states and 1 unit of 2 Territories.
7. We share a rich and diversified cultures. If Malaysia is truly Asia, then I would say Australia is truly the world.
8. We share the almost common telephone prefix. For example, Melbournians and Kuala Lumpurian, share the same telephone prefix of 03 followed by 8 digits numbers. A Melbourne number would be +613-XXXXXXXX and a Kuala Lumpur number +603-XXXXXXXX.
9. We share the same money rounding system. Starting 1 April 08, Malaysia will round their nearest cents to the next 5 cents just like what Australia did many many years ago.
10. And the number 10 (last in my list but not the least), and this is only for me, we share the common hosting event for Formula 1 Grand Prix.
So, why there’s a lof of Malaysian in Australia? My conclusion is, we feel like we are at home. The reason may sound lame but hey, sometime lame is interesting right? No?
April 2, 2008 at 12:07 pm
Gee, i don’t realize this. Thanks Mat.
April 3, 2008 at 5:55 pm
11. Both countries have a lot of migrants many decades ago that painted the colourful and diversified cultures. The migrants’ later generations called the lands their homelands, and many even thought that as their roots.
April 3, 2008 at 5:56 pm
by the way, fory our number 3:
“3. We share a common language i.e. English. Malaysian learn English in school and not French, Spanish, German etc as their second language.”
not really right, coz some years ago a minister escaped being charged for bringing excessive amount of cash in a briefcase quoting the reason he couldn’t understand the English instructions well.
April 3, 2008 at 8:35 pm
You are trying to be polite and didn’t say the basic fact: equal opportunity and integrity.
June 16, 2008 at 12:55 pm
I’m leaving because I’d like to be in a safer, well rounded environment. Where the cities aren’t crowded full of TB and HIV infected rapists and murderers. Where there is more liberty and where people are less likely to judge you for every move you make.
January 8, 2009 at 3:54 am
You people are blind. Australian’s have no culture, except for drinking to piss. We Malaysian’s are well mannered, cultured,educated, polite and kind. I have lived in Australia for almost 6 years and find it to be the most difficult place to live in as a migrant. All your hopes and dreams of leaving to Australia and wanting to have it better, is just pure fantasy. There is no such thing as people are less likely you judge you, you are definitely judged since you are non Australian Caucasian. There is no equal opportunity as you will see even in the part history and the present. Just be happy where you are, you can never seek happiness elsewhere if you cannot be content here.
April 10, 2009 at 4:39 am
Good point cleopatra, but for some Malaysians, being in Malaysia is pretty much the same thing. I.e There is no equal opportunity as you will see even in the part history and the present.