A Malaysian man has sparked debate online after sharing how he left a stable job with generous bonuses for a much higher salary, only to feel uneasy just weeks into his new role.
Spent over a decade at one company
In his post, the man said he had worked at his previous company for more than 10 years, starting with a salary of RM1,200 and eventually earning RM5,200 by January 2026.
He described the workplace as generally positive, with good bosses, strong benefits, and generous annual leave. The company also offered attractive bonuses, with him receiving a 12-month bonus last year.
However, he clarified that the bonus was not fixed and usually ranged between five to seven months depending on company performance.
Felt underpaid despite being a top performer
Despite his long tenure and strong performance, he remained in an executive position while handling responsibilities he believed were at manager level.
He felt underpaid, especially when new management trainees were entering the company with starting salaries close to RM4,000.
As a family man living in the Klang Valley, he shared that he covers all household expenses, including mortgage, car loan, utilities, childcare, and daily necessities.
While his salary was enough to get by, he admitted it often felt like living paycheck to paycheck.
His wife runs a small business earning between RM700 and RM1,500 a month and occasionally contributes to household expenses, but he carries most of the financial burden.
At one point, he began questioning how long he could continue living this way.
Accepted a new job with a 73% salary increase
Wanting better financial stability, he started applying for jobs and eventually received an offer from another company.
- A promotion
- A salary increase of up to 73%, bringing his pay to around RM9,000
- Performance-based quarterly and annual bonuses
- Fewer annual leave days at 15 days
- Slightly weaker benefits
He accepted the offer and is now in his fourth week at the new company.
Feeling uneasy and struggling to adjust
However, the transition has not been easy.
Although the job scope is similar with slightly more responsibilities, the faster pace, weekly management meetings, and longer commute have made it more challenging.
Even after nearly a month, he said he still feels out of place and unmotivated.
He shared that waking up for work feels heavy, and he often finds himself overthinking about his new job, even during festive celebrations.
“Raya didn’t even feel like Raya,” he said.
Netizens divided over his decision
His story quickly drew mixed reactions online.
Some pointed out that his previous compensation package, especially with bonuses, could rival or even exceed his new salary.
Others felt he may have given up too much for a higher base salary.
However, the man defended his decision, explaining that the bonus was not guaranteed every year and that his base salary felt too low for his responsibilities.
He also highlighted long-term concerns: “EPF grows very slowly when your base salary is low. I was also worried that if I didn’t make the jump now, it would be harder to move when I’m older.”
The OP also admitted that while the higher salary was appealing, he misses the sense of comfort he once had.
