“AIYAH, Mat Salleh glamor“. That’s the oft-repeated justification for hiring expatriates in various industries, most notably in private education and the aviation industries.
This usually involves numerous perks and higher salaries which are not afforded to local employees.
That’s the grouse of social media influencer Abah (@chairmanGLC) who lamented that locals get a raw deal even when they are better qualified than their “imported” peers in international schools. He claims that the only difference is skin colour and a foreign accent.
He was repeating complaints of a similar nature by presumably pilot Wan Arief Imran (@wanariefinram) in the aviation industry with local pilots not getting similar wages compared to expats on lucrative contracts.
Cikgu International Schools pun ye. Immigrants boleh dibayar sampai RM 12k. Gaji local teachers RM 6k kata dah banyak. Padahal local teachers punya qualification sama taraf, better even. Bezanya warna kulit dengan accent je. https://t.co/INS6IZPzpj
— Abah (@chairmanGLC) December 12, 2024
One netizen quite possibly hit the nail on the head by implying that the Caucasian faces could be used as a marketing tool, ie in international school brochures.
While another surmised that an institution had to advertise its “international” credentials with Western faces.
Another echoed this sentiment by contending that parents sent kids to these schools for the so-called “international” experience rather than international quality education.
One netizen complained of the sub-standard quality of expatriate managers in the automotive industry; she claimed that their work was shoddy with an academic background that was far from impressive despite their fat pay cheques.
While another shared how inept a foreign superior was with even basic IT (information technology) applications when in fact his resume and online credentials stated otherwise.
More pertinently, one observed that this was the unfortunate consequence of the deteriorating standard of English in the country. The commenter further reckoned that little wonder the need to psychologically place the Mat Salleh on a pedestal.
A few lamented that too many locals were still beholden to the Mat Salleh, hence allowing this culture to fester. This despite Malaysia having been liberated from the colonial yolk 67 years ago.
Perhaps, it is time for companies to allow local employees who shine to step up, especially in the education industry. Mastery of a language and pedagogue has little to do with skin colour with many local educators having the requisite experience to excel.
One netizen though seemed resigned to the fact that the world is unfair with equality only coming at the end of times. – Dec 19, 2024
