Wanna work in Malaysia?? Think first

"Working oversea" --> it sounds cool rite, especially when someone ask you about the payment, about life in a new country, then you will explain and make it look nicer. Hehe... Before you guys wanna know about what's happening for medical doctors in Malaysia, let me talk about international trades in services first because it is sort of related. So, basically it has 4 types which are

• cross-border trade - Any good sold by a seller in one country and bought by a buyer in a separate country. Simply means like you're shopping using an e-bay. You live in Jogja and purchasing clothes in UK. So, without going there, you still can have clothes that made from UK (sometimes written in tag --> made in thailand)
• consumption abroad - describes the process by which a consumer resident in one country moves to another country to obtain a service. For example, I'm Malaysian, live in Malaysia and go to Thailand to have a plastic surgery there.
• commercial presence - The service is provided within A by a locally-established affiliate, subsidiary, or representative office of a foreign-owned and — controlled company. For the ‘same’ company which has commercial presence in another Member's territory (Intracorporate Transferees). Means that Company X is well establish in America, so they set up a new hospital in Jogja for the native to have the services without going abroad.
• natural presence -A foreign national provides a service within A as an independent supplier (e.g., consultant, health worker) or employee of a service supplier (e.g. consultancy firm, hospital, construction company). Means that a specialist from Indonesia work in Malaysia

Asian trading

Ok, now you have a clear picture in trade services? So, if you, a doctor not yet a specialist, wanna choose the last option (Natural presence) and working in Malaysia, you must consider those things list down here :) 

Malaysian Govt Doctors Criteria
Criterias for becoming a Malaysian Govt Doctor. Theres no need for an aptitude test. Students should consider these requirements: 

1. No life outside medicine; this includes dating, sports, clubbing, chores for your parents and visiting the toilet 
2. Not to live with your parents. Move out ASAP as they will never understand the ludicrous working hours that u go through. Furthermore, chores are not suitable for u as to rule No. 1. 
3. Not to be married until completion of all 4 years of Govt Compulsory service as u will be transferred left and right to some of the most remote Govt clinics in Malaysia. Having wife and kids to follow you to your new working area may increase high level of stress on all parties. Furthermore, if your spouse is a Govt Doctor, he/she will also be transferred away from u and no matter what appeal is made, KKM will put up a deaf ear (unless u have big cables or of a certain skin color). 
4. If married, no to have children until u finish all 4 years of Govt Compulsory service, as to which u and your spouse will not have much time for your child/children or they end up not recognizing u and refer the Indonesian maid as their mother (change in language patterns commonly follow). 
5. To obtain life insurance once your govt service begins as there is not many claims for accidents during work. Don't be fooled, Doctoring in Malaysia is hazardous. 
6. Able to withstand 36 hours of non stop work and stress without mistakenly labeling Left for Right or uvula for vulva (or Volvo S40) 
7. To buy a car with complete safety features which includes multiple airbags, ABS, EBD, side-front-rear-top-parallel and diagonal impact bars and seat belts to ensure survivability if u are involved in an accident because your driving resembled a drunkard maniac after working in the hospital for 40 hrs non stop. 
8. Constant supply of coffee 
9. Nicotine Patch as u will have the urge to start smoking due to overwhelming stress 
10. Interest in watching medical sitcoms such as House MD, Scrubs, ER, Grays Anatomy and Chicago Hope to inspire u to continue your life as a doctor as the exciting things u see on TV does not resemble the real life of a Malaysian govt doctor. 
11. Not to have any pets or plants (not even cactuses) as u will have no time to feed or care for them and eventually all will end up in your mortuary. 
12. Able to endure the stench of your own sweat as to when 36 hours "on call" does not permit u time to bathe or freshen up. 
13. Able to carry on working without food or water over 15 hours. If during fasting month, able to break your fast with water for injection as u had no time to buy food. 
14. Able to come to work with fever/cough/illness or physical disability (sprained ankle etc) as to which doctors do not deserve MCs. 
15. Able to stand scolding, destructive criticism, kiss ass behaviors, racial bias, finger pointing, scape goating, and in competency from your superiors. 
16. Able to withstand the jealousy when your friends call u up for some fun and ur stuck in the hospital during on call. 

So, still consider to work in Malaysia :)

Refferences :

1. lecture note Week 1, International Health and Decentralization, by Dr. Yodi Mahendradhata