At a cost of living of about 30% of that of Australia (according to the report on the telly) I could understand that. And being self funded, you'd be laughing. Spent a couple of years there in the early 80's and got used to having an Amah (house keeper), a gardener, a bloke to wash the car and a bloke to wash your dog as well.
__________________
Yes I am an agent of Satan, but my duties are largely ceremonial.
At a cost of living of about 30% of that of Australia (according to the report on the telly) I could understand that. And being self funded, you'd be laughing. Spent a couple of years there in the early 80's and got used to having an Amah (house keeper), a gardener, a bloke to wash the car and a bloke to wash your dog as well.
Me too but in the early 70's. Aussie dollar was worth three and a half Ringgit then, you could live like a king.
About three Ringgit to the Aussie dollar now so still good.
....on the grounds you might incriminate yourself? True story, not Malaysia but Bali, I was there on my honeymoon and had travelled there as a solo about 2 years before. My new wife and I were walking down the main street of Kuta and from the other side of the street outside a restaurant, this local girl was yelling out my name and waving.
She was a waitress in the same place during my first visit and although we did not pursue any activities outside of the restaurant we got on very well together. How the hell she remembered me with all the customers up there after all that time is beyond me (and my name was not "John" she called me by my correct name).
I'm not sure the Mrs believed me though about our relationship, he he !
Weevil, we had a similar thing with Penang Malaysia. Went there first on a couple of short trips in 1974/75. Then got posted there in 1981. We went to the tailor in town to get some shirts and shorts tailor made (cheaper than off the rack clothes in Aus) and as soon as we stepped in the door, it was big hellos from the staff there. They remembered my name and even had my measurements still. That wasn't much good though, as the young female pointed out that I had put on a bit of weight since last visit. The kids and mrs were given a free softdrink and I had a nice cold beer, while our clothing orders were being taken. From there to the shoe factory to get measured up for leather sandals and shoes. They were new though, but again very friendly.. come in, sit down would you like a drink etc.
__________________
Yes I am an agent of Satan, but my duties are largely ceremonial.
Weevil, we had a similar thing with Penang Malaysia. Went there first on a couple of short trips in 1974/75. Then got posted there in 1981. We went to the tailor in town to get some shirts and shorts tailor made (cheaper than off the rack clothes in Aus) and as soon as we stepped in the door, it was big hellos from the staff there. They remembered my name and even had my measurements still. That wasn't much good though, as the young female pointed out that I had put on a bit of weight since last visit. The kids and mrs were given a free softdrink and I had a nice cold beer, while our clothing orders were being taken. From there to the shoe factory to get measured up for leather sandals and shoes. They were new though, but again very friendly.. come in, sit down would you like a drink etc.
I loved Penang, went to Singapore, Thailand and KL while based at Butterworth, but always enjoyed Penang the most, these were pre-causeway days. The shoe measurements were great, foot on a bit of paper and outline drawn, bit of string over the instep etc stuck to the paper and shoes made to fit.
I had a wheel fly off my old Hillman I had axle snapped) while driving, locals came immediately to the scene and arranged to take the car and wheel away for repair, done in minimum time and very low cost, they used to say you could get anything there from a pin to an anchor, no problems if they didn't have a part, none of this sending away to a distant supplier, they repaired or made the part themselves.
I bought a new sound system in Georgetown, got home to Oz and two years later the same brand and model came out here in Oz, I am sure Oz was being used as a dumping ground to get rid of old stock by overseas suppliers.
Howdy
Getting your pension cut, what a load of crap, my mate has lived in Malaysia for the last 10 years and had a 3 month visa, bought an apartment, married a nice local lady, he renews his visa by catching a bus over the border to Thailand and back in a couple of hours, NO lose if Aust Pension and living the life of Riley and very happy indeed