Name:Kenneth Wilhelm
Home Country:Australia
Job/Industry: Education and Career Training
Other countries you have lived in:Indonesia, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, Guam, USA
What brought you to Malaysia?
I met and married my wife in Taiwan (she’s Malaysian), and we moved here when an employment opportunity opened up for me. After 18 plus years around Asia, and the USA, my wife and I have been here in Johor for one and a half years.
What do you like or dislike about Malaysia?
I like the hot and humid weather. Having lived around Asia for many years, I enjoy spending time in places that locals frequent that are not on the wider tourist agenda. Probably the best part of staying away from the expat and tourist spots is being able to enjoy cheaper ‘local’ prices for food, services, and goods.
In terms of dislike, I would venture to say that Malaysia would have been much more enjoyable when most of the local education system consisted of ‘English Schools.’ One can only wonder where Malaysia would be today economically, socially, intellectually, if English had always been the language of research, business, and education.
Describe a memorable eating experience you have had here.
As a vegetarian for the past 23 years, my own experiences are probably not the norm for most expats, even locals for that matter. In Malaysia for me, the best vegetarian food is found in the Indian and Chinese restaurants. That said, probably the most memorable dinner I’ve had in Malaysia to date, was at the Thai/Indian restaurant inside the Berjaya Resort on Tioman.
Name three typical weekend activities you enjoy most.
As an educator, coach, and Instructor Trainer in scuba diving, my weekend activities typically revolve around my own graduate studies, scuba diving, and playing squash, swimming, or badminton.
What is your favourite holiday destination here? Why?
You’ll find me either spending time in the historic towns or on an island enjoying the scenery both above and below the water.
What advice do you have for a newly arrived expat?
First, the expat should come prepared financially lay out the cash to sign a home rental contract. Second, they should have the funds to buy a vehicle. Third, the expat should read their employment contract very carefully, and be sure to understand all provisions. Fourth, but actually most importantly, get linked up with an expat already here to help provide all the ‘boots on the ground’ insider info.
What do you miss most about your home country?
I would essentially call Melbourne and Taipei my ‘homes’ and, I do miss the vast options in cuisine, cultural events, and ease of public transport in both these cities.
Is Malaysia a good place in which to work and do business? Why?
The cost of labour here is relatively low, but expat employers need to keep in the back of their minds the time tested adage: ‘You get what you pay for.’ It could take time to find the right employees: the ones who work hard, the ones who are motivated to achieve. It is imperative to pay attention to the labour laws, and make sure that you’re not only doing the right thing legally, but also ethically and morally. Challenge your employees to meet international standards for performance, and keep the ones who produce, then reward them for their efforts.
Once your business is noticed for its success, you’ll find lots of competitors coming into your back view mirror. If you don’t have a hard-to-replicate value proposition, it will become tricky once you’re in the crosshairs of local competitors who have the inside connections that you likely don’t have.
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