Is it perception or fact?

Why do local companies think that foreigners are better employees? I am sure you have heard of foreigners being employed in being paid triple or quadruple the salary of a local for doing the same job. Are they really that good? Are locals really inferior, esp compared to the "Gwai-Lo"?

One of my previous employers did employ a "Gwai-lo" thinking he could do a much better job. Paid him in USD and provided him w apartment and car as well. Was he really worth it? No way! He was good in his work but I am sure my boss could have found a Malaysian who is just as capable if he was willing to pay a little more than market rate(Still much lower than the amount paid to the Gwai-Lo). My boss kept on singing praises for him and this caused a very tense working environment as the other staff started to distance themselves from Gwai-Lo. Eventually many left. Donno whether he is still there.

My friend who works in ESPN Singapore was also unfortunate as he and abt 20 others(All locals) were laid off b'cos of cost cutting measures. The word was ESPN was spending a bomb on football pundits like Steve McMahon and all the other former footballers they invite as guest pundits. Thus to cut costs, someone had to make way and unfortunately it was the locals. I wonder how much our Shebby Singh gets paid!

Sigh..... Are we really inferior to the "Gwai-Los". I certainly don think so but then why are employers willing to pay so much for foreigners but unwilling to go a little higher for locals? Inferiority Complex? U tell me! The only area which I feel most Gwai-los have advantage over us is their PR skills!

Do you think Keane is a good buy?

Liverpool signed Robbie Keane today for 20.3m quid. Finally, we have signed someone of stature. This signing has got me a little excited as I think he wld complement Torres nicely. But then, what wld Rafa's formation be? Will he play two strikers upfront now or stick to his 4-5-1? Can Gerrard, Keane and Torres all play together? It would be exciting to find out once the season starts. Can't wait!

PS : To David Levy(Spurs chairman), who claims that Liverpool "robbed" Keane from Spurs, stop dreaming! You got 20m quid for him, so shut up and go and buy 10 new players like you do every year!(And still fail to finish in top 6)

Should Joey Barton be given another chance?

I read today that Joey Barton(JB) is to be released from prison soon. He got out early from his 6 months prison sentence due to good behaviour. Good Behaviour??? Joey Barton and good behaviour cannot be mentioned in the same sentence. To the uninitiated, JB is one of the most indisciplined players ever to play in the English Premier League. He has stubbed a junior player's eye with a cigarette, beaten up people after drinking sessions at local pubs, bared his bottom to opposing team supporters and beaten teammate's faces to a pulp in training(That's y he was sentenced to 6 months prison term).

His manager in Newcastle, Kevin Keegan is hoping he has learnt his lesson and is welcoming him back with open arms(Obviously cos Newcastle paid s'thing like 10m quid for him). My question here is, do you think he deserves another chance? My personal opinion is he shd be banned from football for good. He is a disgrace to the game as he just continues to get himself into trouble each time he is given another chance. I am all for giving people opportunities to repent but JB is just beyond help. I can't think of another player with as bad a disciplinary record as him. So Keegan, sack him please!

A ray of sunlight!

With all the political gloom hovering over us daily, it is such a breath of fresh air when you read abt Malaysians that bring glory to our country. Over the past 2 weeks, our sportsmen/women have brought tremendous success to our country. Unfortunately they have been put in the shade due to the coverage given to our political circus. I would like to salute the following :

1)GAVIN Kyle Green(Golf) - winner of the under-14 World Golf Championships in the US

2)Men's senior and junior 5-men bowling teams - Winner of the World Bowling Championships 2008 (Senior) and Junior Asian Championships 2008 (Junior)

3)Nicol David(World No 1), Ong Beng Hee(World no 9) and Azlan Iskandar(World no 10)

4)Men's archery team - Silver medallist in recent world championships and world no 4.

To all these people : Great job! Best of luck and thank you for bringing us positive news!