Cracks in the facade

BROTHERS Ken and Michael Soong recorded their experiences as new migrants to Australia in their first book, Migrating to Australia: Good Meh???, that was published in 2013.
However, Michael, 43, decided to move back to Malaysia five years ago, and gave up his Australian PR (permanent resident) status, while Ken, 47, continues to live and work there.
Now, the brothers have come out with their second book, Brighter Future in the West, Sure Meh??? (Kanyin Publications; RM36.80), which offers some points to consider before actually migrating to the West – the so-called promised land of better living standards and quality of life.

During a recent interview session with Michael, he explains that they decided to pen their experiences to help people who planned to migrate make more informed choices.
“People tend to only see the brighter side,” Michael laments, adding that they wanted to show both sides of the coin, “just to let you know what to expect”.
“We are not here to tell people not to migrate,” he insists.
His own migration story was similar to that of many other Malaysians and Singaporeans back in the 90s, when it was relatively easy to get PR status in Australia.
The brothers had studied in Australia, but returned home after graduating to work. They applied and successfully got PR status in Australia in 1999.
“[We] were given a five-year grace period to move to Australia,” recalls Michael. “Although we had a successful business [here], we were caught in this mindset that we had to sacrifice everything to secure that PR.”
After the brothers moved to Australia, they sponsored their parents and sister to migrate over there as well.
They bought some real estate, but as it was not conducive to start a business in Australia at the time, they obtained teaching certificates and taught at a business college instead.
“We thought we could start a normal life in an ideal, democratic society,” says Michael. “Then after staying there for a few years, I realised that it was not for me.”
He says while they themselves were not actually “cleaning toilets” to make a living, other professionals who migrated ended up doing menial jobs, because they were unable to find work they were qualified to do.
“There are many immigrants from India and Pakistan, who were top university professors back home, but are now driving taxis,” he says, citing another example of a lawyer from Malaysia who ended up running a newsstand in Australia.
Michael points out that even if you do get a job you are qualified to do, you still have to deal with a social climate that is vastly different.
While Migrating to Australia: Good Meh??? was their way of opening the eyes of potential migrants to the pitfalls they might encounter down under, the brothers hope Brighter Future in the West, Sure Meh???, which is based on research and statistics they compiled, will prepare them before making that big step.
He says that many of the things we think are better in developed countries – such as healthcare and education – are not necessarily true, as we learned in recent times.
“You can’t run away from racism, even if it is packaged much better in the West,” says Michael.
“Political correctness is a tool that is used to control what people can say.”
He points out that this part of the world is booming economically, but many Asians still prefer to migrate to western countries.
The brothers have a Facebook page for their books, where people can share their own migration experiences.
Michael adds that they hope their books will give pause to those who are contemplating migration, especially “those who think that it will solve whatever problems they are facing here, be it financial, political or social”.
“Looking back, I wish I had a mentor who told me about all the things I would face in a systematic way,” he says, adding that “90% of people we know who migrated tend not to talk about the problems they are facing when they come to visit”.
He says what they want to tell these people is that “if you choose to migrate, don’t think you can run from a problem”.
Michael, who has a six-year-old son, was told he was crazy to have given up his Australian PR status, which could have benefitted his son.
“I am here because it works for me,” he explains. “I have a certain advantage being here. For me, education is just a process. It is what you do after that that counts.”
Michael now runs his own business here, while Ken is teaching in one of Australia’s most prestigious colleges.
Those interested can meet Michael at Eco Ardence Sales Gallery, Setia Alam, this Saturday from 3pm to 5pm for the official launch of Brighter Future in the West, Sure Meh???.