A Reddit user who identified himself as a Singaporean recently shared an unexpected conversation with an e-hailing driver that left him thinking about whether giving up Malaysian citizenship was worth it.
According to him, the driver was a former Malaysian and had since become a Singaporean citizen.
But instead of expressing pride in his new status, the driver admitted that he regretted his decision.
The driver reportedly told him that he now envisions himself working until he dies as daily expenses in Singapore continue to rise and saving enough for a comfortable retirement feels increasingly out of reach.
His retirement plan still depends on Malaysia
Despite his regret, the driver shared that his only saving grace is his wife, who is a Malaysian citizen.
Because of this, he and his wife still have the option to return to Malaysia one day to retire.
However, there is another complication: their two children are Singaporeans as they were born on the city island.
This means that in the future, the children will have to deal with obligations such as National Service, which could become a challenge later in life.
A message to Malaysians who want to migrate
While the Reddit user acknowledged that many Malaysians are unhappy with local politics, he argued that giving up citizenship is a much bigger trade off than it appears.
He added that from his perspective, Malaysia offers certain things Singapore cannot.
He pointed out that Malaysians have more land and space, thus allowing them to grow vegetables or fruits at home or live quietly in a kampung away from busy city centres.
He contrasted this with Singapore, where most residents live in public housing flats and must follow strict rules on daily activities.
The Reddit user also highlighted that Malaysian men do not need to serve National Service, unlike Singaporean men who must serve two years and continue reservist duties for several years.
He added that even if Malaysians find city life too hectic, they can choose a slower lifestyle elsewhere – something which isn’t an option in Singapore.
‘Work in Singapore, retire in M’sia’
The Reddit user shared that Malaysians should treat Singapore as a place to earn money and not a place to settle permanently.
“Singapore is already densely populated, with millions of people living on a small island. More forests are being cleared to build additional housing, and new citizens may find themselves surrounded by buildings for the rest of their lives,” he explained.
He admitted that although Singapore offers safety and convenience, he questioned whether these benefits alone justify giving up Malaysian citizenship.
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