Green ka over there?

I came across an article in a newly published news magazine, about Malaysians, successful Malaysians in the Big Apple. They have names like Faiznur Miskin (the gymnastic princess in the 90's), Shayna Zaid, an upcoming songstress whose mom is American, and two best mate.

Most of them said that home (Malaysia) is where the heart is. As cliche as it may sound, but maybe we are seeing more and more people going abroad to work. Although I must admit that opportunities abroad may not be as much as here, they made it. Big time.

Faiznur is now aVP in an investment firm there. Shyana has been on the NY club scene for a while and released a record. The two friends made it as designers at Kenneth Cole.

Looking at them, I see that not many people can make it there. Only a selected few that has been given the opportunity to do so. It's not like main-main and you can go NY and make it there.

Most of the interviewed said that its a dog eat dog world there, and NY couldd really beat you into a pulp if you dont watch out. I think in KL we could still be slow and not gobbled up by fast paced life.

One thing for sure, the grass is not THAT green on the other side. But come to think of it, many foreigners are MAKING it here in our beloved country. Looks like we are having greener pastures over here, but only for foreigners though.

Bukak restoran, laku. Bukak kedai jual kacang, laku. Bukak kedai jual karpet, laku. Bukak jual kosmetik, pun laku.

How, lah? Are we Malaysians (Malays particularly) tak pandai berniaga ka? Well, there are some Malays yang memang tak pandai berniaga (hint:kedai makan Melayu yang datang ambik order 2-3 kali and lembab) but then the foreigners seem to be dominating.

Toksah cakap yang berniaga illegally la. Ambil contoh, restoran Sari Ratu. Berapa banyak cawangan dia ada sekarang ni? If I'm not mistaken, three. And its no small business. BIG restaurants, enough to fill 70-90 pax per sitting. Harga mahal pulak tu.

So Malaysian's are happy enough to kutip tax from them, is that it? Banyak mana sangat tax tu. They hire their own 'locals' as workers tau. Bukannya bebudak local. Dah rugi peluang pekerjaan kat situ.

Pak Arab jual kacang pun kadang-kadang hire Indonesians as workers. So what is left of the blooming business? We only consume. Thats right.

I imagine one day, a Malaysian will open a food joint in the US ka Australia ka, and be successful with it. Maybe dah ada. Maybe I would. But my bro said, be prepared with AUD100,000 then you can open shop there. Pergh...later in life la.