Why Malaysians Love Singapore

quitter / loser roll back SG

Posted by QuaChee | 1:11 AM | food, journey, malaysia, singapore | 22 comments »

Go to any hotel F&B outlet, and there is high probability of the server being a Malaysian (somehow, usually from Ipoh). Or in any MNC, there will tend to be a Malaysian you know.

Recently, my friend has been sharing with me that nearly 12 of his classmates are in Singapore. This got me to count on the number of my classmates here - there are 6 of us here in Singapore. That is about 15% of the class.

My Form 6 friends - many more. Some I've chanced upon at the bus station, while there was one I met on the same bus traveling back home!

What makes us Malaysians hop over to the island-state, while there is also a huge brain drain of Singaporeans themselves? I've heard & read the complaints by fellow Singaporeans (not all), and one just need to see the other side of the coin.

There are many reasons why Malaysians come over to Singapore to work or study. But these are just some which I think are shared by all walks of life. Here's a perspective from a Malaysian residing in Singapore :)

1. Proximity
It's just the tiny Straits of Johor that separates the 2 countries. In fact, it is so near that the causeway is only slightly more than 1km (source: Wikipedia).

So to many Malaysians, especially the bulk from JB and Johor finds Singapore just next to home. Some even live in JB but work in Singapore, traveling back each day. Schoolchildren even travel each morning for a full English education here.

Even for the other Malaysians from the other states, it is still relatively near. And if we miss home - we just need to head back for the weekend.

2. Food
Many food in Malaysia is found right here in Singapore. I can safely bet that at least 50% are similar if not more. There is the nasi lemak, roti canai (called roti prata here), char kuay teow, chicken rice and lots more.

Of course there are some variations of style of cooking - like the distinct & delicous Singapore's hokkien mee which is totally different from what is offered in KL (which is very nice as well).

Lawjann SG

Unfortunately, not many of them want to convert to become citizens.

quitter / loser roll back SG

5. $$$
I guess the no. one reason why many come here to work is also due to the higher Singapore dollar. Just cross the causeway, and earn 2.3 times more than back home!

Save the dollar earned, and bring it back to enjoy it 'like a king'! If you used to hear Singaporeans say "Aiyo that one so cheap!", now you know why.

The Singapore dollar to Ringgit Malaysia is nowhere comparable to USD-S$ itself! Ie. if we work in Singapore and spend in Malaysia is much better than someone working in USA and bringing the green dollar back to Singapore! (1USD = 1.4SGD only).

so that, they could retire back to Malaysia comfortably

but not us!

Lawjann SG

so that, they could retire back to Malaysia comfortably

but not us!

just save $$$ and retire in Malaysia. I know of a couple of people who are doing that. Each year pays the Malaysian govt S$65

Durian_bananas SG

Don't forget the education. Many Malaysians want their children to be educated with the higher standards here. Another reason is that Singapore retirement age is 62?

On the other hand, there are also drawbacks living in Singapore. Probably for the rests of our lives, we be living in a HDB or Condominium. A house in Singapore is probably worth a forture. Singapore is hardly the place to raise more than 3 kids because of the limited condo space. Also, Singapore isn't as clean as it used to be (well, admittedly still cleaner than M'sia), as a result of the construction of the casinos, more foreign workers who habitually dumb garbage in the streets are coming. Not to mention, having the two casinos a stone throw away. It is really tempting - to gamble away your savings. I also do not like the idea of running into prostitutes soliciting business in broad daylight - something I don't see very often in Malaysia (only in red light districts - done very discreetly).

sbst275 SG

well tat's why of e love hate relationship.

Some would say we're their mirror if they'd a diff govt from e start.

BJK SG

Well as the saying goes: “The grass is always greener on the other side” I know of many Singaporeans staying in JB but work in Sg. They don’t mind the daily traffic jam as they say the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages. The majority of Sg are average wage earners hence they frequently go for holidays in Malaysia. A coach fare is what most of them can afford. I remembered one aunty said a few years ago that she could only afford holidays in Malaysia and not elsewhere.