I think it's the Malaysian mentality and crassness.

When words got out that I'm leaving the Kompeni soon, most of the questions directed at me was 'How much are they paying you?'.

Sensibly, one would never leave if the pay is lousier than what you're getting now. Unless, it's for something that you love and have the passion for, like getting your dream job, or starting your own business.

First off, what I earn or how much I am gonna earn in the future is private. It's a personal matter. It's none of your business to know that, unless you're the LHDN, the creditors, the ah longs or the wife. So, be gone you vultures.

Secondly, it's not always about the money. If it's something that you love, you'll be willing to sacrifice a few things. If it's worth the trouble and effort, you'll go for it.

A good friend asked me this morning why am I leaving and what were the reasons.

I would love to say that it's because of what I'm seeing in the office or where I think everything is heading from here on, but that wouldn't be a good enough reason. Sure, I was looking for a way out. I would've taken the first offer that came my way even it meant a big cut in pay or benefits.

So why I'm doing it? Fear and opportunity.

I fear for myself. I'm afraid that I'll be useless, hopeless, lackadaisical and eternally narcissistic if I'm still here. I'm afraid that I'll turn into the very beings and things that I despise in the Kompeni. I fear that I may not get past my skepticism and see that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Before I became more hopeless and helpless, I decided to take my bow.

And when a big, global company, THE number two in the whole world comes to you and offers you a job, would you say no to that? It is an offer that you know that you should not ignore. It's an opportunity, a huge one. The opportunity to be a part of them, to learn from them, to grow with them. You know that if you don't grab that, you'll never know when you're gonna get that chance again. I felt that, and I don't want to rue that in the future.

I know it's not going to be easy. I have to shift myself from a GLC environment to a global giant. I have to proof myself again. I have to leave my family behind for a while. I have to leave my comfort zone, something that I never thought I would or be capable of doing.

You'll never know until you do it.

Try, do not. There is no try.

And who says the TV is an idiot box.