How it can amount to 200-300K
First and foremost.... Lets talk in Malaysian Ringgit.
Option 1.
1)Cost of CPL/IR & Frozen ATPL 240k (We don't know the new figure for next year when M'sia adopts JAR syllabus).
2) As a self sponsered student with 200 hrs and lets say no degree = No foreign company would want to hire you.
3) So you want to do an AFI. You need 150 hrs PIC. Your 200 hrs syllabus in M'sia only has 100 hrs PIC. So you will have to clock extra 50 hrs @ an average of lets say RM 500/hr (Strating rate for an E150B) = 25k.
4) So now you want to do AFI rating = 40k.
5) If you are lucky, you get a job in an M'sian AFTO. Clock approx 700 hrs a year. 2 yrs maybe 1400 hrs (Don't forget we are talking about SE piistons here)
6) You apply for a job with a S'porean airline. Maybe you get SIA.. Maybe Tiger accepts you (you still have to pay for your own A320 rating, Approx 80k).
So how much does it add up to? Thats RM 385k = S$ 160k.
Option 2.
1) Go to Australia/ New Zealand / USA / Canada / ETC and spend S$ 50-60k.
2) Come back and try your luck with SQ. Out 100% chance with 200hrs, SQ in 10%. Don't bother about Tiger or Jetstar coz they don't hire freshies.
3) CAAS would not want to convert your licence unless you are hired by a S'porean company.
4) So now, you may want to instruct. Go back to where you got your licence and see if they want to hire you ( 10% Chance. Depends on the country's respective immigartion laws. Anyway an average instructor earns 30-40k Australian a year down under.)
5) So you may want to instruct in M'sia, bulid your hours and try the airlines. But hang on, DCA M'sia's coversion programme in an AFTO will cost 80k.
6) Then, if M'sian DCA permits, you as a foreigner can work in M'sia and see how it goes.
7) Total cost including Foreign licence, conversion & rating Approx S$110(B737 or A320 rating NOT included).
Alot of people have this idea that anyone can become an airline pilot as long as you have money. May be true in some countries. But not in Singapore. The industry is already moving towards degree holders fot pilots.
If you want to be an airline pilot, First go straighten out your O levels first. Maths, Physics, English & 2 others at an average of all Bs. Then get youself at least a relevant Diploma. Then try out SQ. Or if you have lots of cash go ahead and pursue your CPL. We'll leave the rest to chances.