Malaysians in Singapore

Malaysians in Singapore

Rakyat Malaysia di Singapura (Malay)
Total population
1,132,924 (2020) [1]
Regions with significant populations
Singapore
Languages
Singapore English, Malaysian English, Chinese (Cantonese, Min Chinese, Malaysian Mandarin), Malaysian Tamil and Malay
Related ethnic groups
Various ethnic groups of Malaysia

Malaysians in Singapore refers to citizens of Malaysia or Singaporean citizens of Malaysian origin residing in Singapore. According to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the community had a population of 1,132,924 in 2020, making them the world's largest Malaysian diaspora community. ^[1] The community is also the largest foreign community in Singapore, constituting 44% of the country's foreign-born population ^{[2] [3]} and an additional 350,000 Malaysians cross the Johor–Singapore Causeway daily for work and school in the city-state. ^[4]

Many Malaysians in Singapore are usually expatriates, working in various industries of the Singaporean economy since its rapid industrialisation in the 1970s. ^{[5] [6]} Malaysia and Singapore sharing similar historical and cultural roots and as well as cross-border familial ties, are some of the reasons for the huge community of Malaysians in the country. ^{[7] [8] [9]} Other reasons include the country's proximity to Malaysia ^[10] and the high exchange rate of the Singapore dollar over the Malaysian ringgit. ^[11]

History

With both Malaysia and Singapore being part of British Malaya during the British colonial rule, the people of both countries share similar cultural and historic roots, with similar multiracial populations consisting of Malays, Chinese and Indians. ^[8] On September 16, 1963 Malaysia was formed by the merger of the Federation of Malaya with the former British colonies of North Borneo, Sarawak and Singapore. However, on August 9, 1965, due to distrust and ideological differences between the leaders of Singapore and of the federal government of Malaysia, Singapore was expelled from Malaysia and became an independent republic. ^[12]

Malaysian migration to Singapore began in the mid 1960s to 1970s after Singapore's independence as the government focused on transforming Singapore's economy to a export-oriented one and a manufacturing hub. Singapore experienced rapid industrialisation and Malaysians has been the main source of foreign unskilled labour for the Singaporean workforce, especially in the manufacturing and service sectors. ^{[3] [13]} In the early 1970s, the government of Singapore focused on developing its electronics industry and services sector and most Malaysian workers were concentrated in those areas. ^[14] By the late the 1990s, however, the number of unskilled Malaysian labourers decreased and foreign labourers from other Southeast Asian states were hired to offset the labour shortage instead. ^[13] The outflow of skilled Malaysians, mostly to Singapore, was identified as a problem by the Malaysian government in 1995 and various programs such as the 1Malaysia initiative were introduced to counter the issue. ^[15]

Today, Malaysian migration includes a mix of both white-collar workers and blue-collar workers, with the Singaporean government actively encouraging highly skilled workers to settle in the country and offering scholarship programmes to attract students to its educational institutions. ^{[13] [16]}

Demographics

See also: Immigration to Singapore

Vertical bar chart demographic of Malaysians in Singapore between 1990 and 2020

Population of Malaysians in Singapore from 1990 to 2020. [1]

During the 1990s, as Singapore moved to diversify its economy from a manufacturing-based one into a knowledge-based economy, the government relied more on foreign labour to offset Singapore's small local workforce. ^[17] This resulted in the population of the Malaysian community to increase from a total of 195,072 in 1990, to 431,854 in 1995, a 121% increase within a five year period. ^[18] By the late 1990s, there were 80,000 employment pass holders and another 450,000 on work permits, with majority being Malaysians, which constitutes 20% of the Singaporean workforce. ^{[17] [19]}

There was a gradual increase of Malaysians migrating to Singapore from 2000 to 2005, increasing from 710,434 individuals to 818,337. In 2010, the total population of Malaysians in Singapore increased to 971,827 and according to the World Bank, Singapore residents, both permanent residents and Singaporean citizens, of Malaysian origin was at a population of 385,979, accounting for 46% of the Malaysian diaspora. It was also estimated that 81% of Malaysian emigrants to all countries from that year were Malaysian Chinese, and 57% of those ethnic Chinese emigrated to Singapore. ^{[20] [21]} By 2015, the population of Malaysians was at 1,123,654, accounting for 20.3% of Singapore's 5,535,000 population for that year. ^[22]

As of 2020, there are 1,132,924 Malaysians or Singaporeans of partial or full Malaysian origin residing in Singapore. In addition to the permanent population in the country, about 350,000 Malaysians cross the Johor-Singapore Causeway daily to commute to work or school. ^[4] The community includes white-collar workers, blue-collar workers and students studying in the city-state. ^[23] Factors contributing to the huge community of Malaysians in Singapore includes a stronger Singaporean currency, ^{[24] [25]} Bumiputera race-based policies, ^{[26] [27]} cross border marriages and admittance of students into Singaporean educational institutions through the ASEAN scholarship programme provided by the Singaporean government. ^[13]

Notable people

Singaporean residents of Malaysian origin are well represented in all levels of Singaporean society. ^[8] Many notable Singaporeans have either partial or full Malaysian origin, as Malaysia and Singapore were both under British colonial rule from the 1820s to 1950s. ^[28] Below is a list of notable Singaporeans of Malaysian origin and Malaysians living in Singapore.

• Ahmad Ibrahim, was a Singaporean politician and served as the Minister for Manpower.
• Anthony Tan, Singaporean entrepreneur of Malaysian Chinese descent, founder & CEO of Grab.
• Chan Sek Keong, former Chief Justice of Singapore, of Malaysian Chinese descent.
• Soo K. Chan, Singaporean architect, of Malaysian Chinese descent, founder of SCDA Architects.
• Chen Hanwei, Malaysian actor based in Singapore.
• Michael Chiang, Singaporean playwright and screenwriter, of Malaysian Chinese descent.
• Chin Liew Ten, Singaporean professor of philosophy.
• Chin Tet Yung, Singaporean politician, of Malaysian Chinese descent.
• Elizabeth Choy, was a Singaporean educator and councillor.
• Eu Chooi Yip, was a Singaporean activist known for his participation in anti-colonial and Communist movements in Malaya and Singapore.
• Shamini Flint, Malaysian author based in Singapore, of Malaysian Indian descent.
• Foo Mee Har, Singaporean politician, of Malaysian Chinese descent.
• Goh Eng Wah, was a Singaporean film distributor and founder of Eng Wah Global.
• Goh Keng Swee, was a Singaporean politician and former Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore.
• Goh Poh Seng, was a Singaporean author and doctor, of Malaysian Chinese descent.
• Henry Golding, is an actor and TV host, of English-Iban Malaysian descent, living in Singapore
• Ian Goodenough, Singaporean-born Australian politician, of Chinese Malaysian descent.
• Hon Sui Sen, was a Singaporean politician and 4th Minister for Finance.
• Huang Wenyong, was a Singaporean actor, of Malaysian Chinese descent.
• Khaw Boon Wan, Singaporean politician, current Minister for Transport.
• Khoo Swee Chiow, Singaporean adventurer and author, first Southeast Asian to complete the Explorers Grand Slam.
• Amy Khor, Singapore politician, Senior Minister of State of the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources.
• Song Hoot Kiam, was a Singaporean community leader, of Malaysian Chinese descent.
• Kiong Kong Tuan, was a merchant from Penang, holder of opium and spirit farms in Singapore in 19th century.
• Kuok Khoon Hong, Singaporean business magnate, of Malaysian Chinese descent.
• Lai Kew Chai, was a Singaporean judge, of Malaysian Chinese descent.
• Lai Siu Chiu, Singaporean lawyer and judge, of Malaysian Chinese descent.
• Aaron Lee, Singaporean poet, of Malaysian Chinese descent.
• Addy Lee, Malaysian hair stylist, known for his unique styling with hairstyle.
• Lee Bee Wah, Singaporean engineer and politician, of Malaysian Chinese descent.
• Lee Khoon Choy, was a Singaporean journalist and politician, of Malaysian Chinese descent.
• Lee Siew Choh, was a Singaporean politician and medical doctor.
• Sonny Liew, Singaporean comic artist, of Malaysian Chinese descent.
• Catherine Lim, Singaporean fiction author, of Malaysian Chinese descent.
• Suchen Christine Lim, Singaporean author, of Malaysian Chinese descent.
• Loh Kean Hean, Singaporean national badminton player, of Malaysian Chinese descent.
• Loh Kean Yew, Singaporean national badminton player, of Malaysian Chinese descent.
• Lina Loh, Singaporean politician, of Malaysian Chinese descent.
• Loke Cheng Kim, Malaysian–Singaporean businesswoman and philanthropist.
• Loke Wan Tho, was a Malaysian business magnate, one of the founders of Cathay Organisation.
• Nooryana Najwa Najib, daughter of former Malaysian Prime Minister, Najib Razak.
• Bonnie Loo, Singaporean actress and singer, of Malaysian Chinese descent.
• Olivia Lum, Singaporean businesswoman, of Malaysian Chinese descent.
• Mohammad Din Mohammad, Singaporean painter, of Malaysian Malay descent.
• Devan Nair, was a Singaporean politician and the third President of Singapore.
• Irene Ng, Singaporean politician, of Malaysian Chinese descent.
• Ong Pang Boon, retired Singaporean politician, of Malaysian Chinese descent.
• Adrian Pang, Singaporean actor, of Malaysian Chinese descent.
• Janil Puthucheary, Singaporean politician and doctor, of Malaysian Indian descent.
• Phyllis Quek, Malaysian model and actress, of Malaysian Chinese descent.
• K. S. Rajah, was a Singaporean lawyer, of Malaysian Indian descent.
• Adnan Saidi, was a Malayan military officer, known for his heroics in the Battle of Pasir Panjang.
• Sha'ari Tadin, Singaporean politician, of Malaysian Malay descent.
• Huzir Sulaiman, Singaporean director and actor, of Malaysian Malay descent.
• Leaena Tambyah, Singaporean special education advocate, recipient of the Bintang Bakti Masyarakat (Public Service Star).
• Tan Boon Teik, was a Singaporean judicial officer and former Attorney-General of Singapore.
• Jason Pomeroy, British-Malaysian architect
• Julie Tan, Singaporean actress, of Malaysian Chinese descent.
• Tan Hooi Ling, Malaysian Chinese entrepreneur based in Singapore, co founder & COO of Grab.
• Tan Kim Seng, was a Singaporean merchant and philanthropist, of Peranakan descent.
• Tan Tock Seng, Singaporean merchant and philanthropist, contributed to the construction of Tan Tock Seng Hospital.
• Toh Chin Chye, was a Singaporean politician and former Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore.
• Tung Soo Hua, Singaporean news anchor of Channel 8 news.
• Wee Chong Jin, was a Singaporean judge and the first Chief Justice of Singapore.
• Brandon Wong, Singaporean actor, of Malaysian Chinese descent.
• Claire Wong, Singaporean-Malaysian director, of Malaysian Chinese descent.
• Lawrence Wong, Singaporean actor, of Malaysian Chinese descent.
• Race Wong, Singaporean singer, best known for being part of the duo group, 2R.
• Rosanne Wong, Singaporean singer, best known for being part of the duo group, 2R.
• Yong Pung How, was a Singaporean banker, judge, and lawyer, and former Chief Justice of Singapore.
• You Jin, Singaporean writer and recipient of the Cultural Medallion.
• Ke Le, Singaporean Malaysian getai singer & actress from Ah Girls Go Army
• Ruzaini Zainal, Singapore professional footballer, of Malaysian Malay descent.

See also

• Malaysia–Singapore relations
• Singaporeans in Malaysia
• Malaysian diaspora
• Immigration to Singapore

References

1. "International Migrant Stock 2020". United Nations. Retrieved 29 March 2023. This figure includes people who are of Malaysian origin in Singapore, not only Malaysian citizens
2. "UN data shows Malaysians make up biggest migrant group in Singapore at 44%". Malay Mail. 19 January 2020. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
3. Y., Hui; P.D., Yang; S.H., Zhan. "Immigration, Population, and Foreign Workforce in Singapore: An Overview of Trends, Policies, and Issues". Humanities & Social Studies Education (HSSE) Academic Group. HSSE Online. 6 (1): 10–25. Archived from the original on 25 April 2019. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
4. "Clearing the Crossway". 9 June 2018. Retrieved 7 February 2019.
5. Takashi, S. (2009). Across the Causeway: A Multi-dimensional Study of Malaysia-Singapore Relations. p. 125. ISBN   978-9-812-30783-5.
6. "Singapore Industrialization Policy". Country Studies. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
7. Sonthi, Uma Devi. Parliamentary democracy in Singapore 1965-1980 (PDF) (Thesis).
8. Jamie Koh, Stephanie Ho (2009). Culture and Customs of Singapore and Malaysia. ABC-CLIO. ISBN   9780313351167.
9. "Flourishing ties rooted in shared history". The Straits Times. 9 August 2015. Retrieved 25 June 2020. Many Singaporeans and Malaysians had friends and family on the other side of the Causeway.
10. "Young Malaysians Tell Us The Honest Truth About What It's Like To Work In Singapore". Says. 17 January 2017. Retrieved 25 June 2020. it's relatively near to Malaysia compared to other places around the world.
11. "SMEs: Locals prefer to work in Singapore". The Star. 29 April 2019. Retrieved 25 June 2020. Many preferred to work over there due to the exchange rate.
12. Noordin Sopiee, Mohamed (2005). From Malayan Union to Singapore separation : political unification in the Malaysia region, 1945-65 (2nd ed.). University Malaya Press. ISBN   9789831001943.
13. Ho, Y.J.; D.T., Adam (2011). "Malaysian Migration to Singapore: Pathways, Mechanisms and Status". Malaysian Journal of Economic Studies. 48 (2): 131–145. CiteSeerX   10.1.1.473.1016 .
14. Stubbs, Richard (2005). Rethinking Asia's Economic Miracle: The Political Economy of War, Prosperity. p. 147. ISBN   9781137557261 . Retrieved 25 June 2020.
15. "Workers' brain drain could lag Malaysian economy". Singapore Business Review. 27 June 2018. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
16. "Malaysia set to lose more skilled workers to Singapore's tech sector, say Johor business leaders". The Straits Times. 25 July 2019. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
17. "SINGAPORE: TOWARDS A KNOWLEDGE-BASED ECONOMY" (PDF). Nomura Foundation. 1 September 2014. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
18. Wu, Friedrich (October 1991). "The ASEAN Economies in the 1990s and Singapore's Regional Role". California Management Review. 34 (1): 103–114. doi:10.2307/41166686. ISSN   0008-1256. JSTOR   41166686. S2CID   155079093.
19. L.A., Manolo (2013). Use of foreign labour to meet labour shortages in dynamic East and South-East Asian economies (PDF). ILO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific. pp. 10–12. ISBN   9789221277248.
20. "Malaysia Economic Monitor, The Brain Drain". World Bank. April 2011. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
21. "Falling Malaysian Chinese population worrying: Analysts". The Straits Times. 27 January 2017. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
22. "M810001 - Indicators On Population, Annual". Statistics Singapore.
23. "4 in 10 people in Singapore are migrants - and almost 1 million are mostly from Malaysia: UN". MSN. 20 January 2020. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
24. "Migrants in Singapore mostly from Malaysia". The Straits Times. 19 January 2020. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
25. "A kleptocracy premium for the ringgit". Malaysiakini. 5 September 2017. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
26. "What's causing Malaysia's ethnic Chinese brain drain?". The South China Post. 20 May 2017. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
27. "Will Malaysia's brain drain block its economic ambitions?". BBC. 5 June 2013. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
28. Wright, Arnold; Cartwright, H. A. (1908). Twentieth Century Impressions of British Malaya: Its History, People, Commerce, Industries, and Resources. Lloyd's Greater Britain publishing Company.

Bibliography

• Takashi, Shiraishi (2009), Across the Causeway: A Multi-dimensional Study of Malaysia-Singapore Relations, Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, ISBN   978-9-812-30783-5
• Koh, Jamie (2009), Culture and Customs of Singapore and Malaysia, ABC-CLIO, ISBN   9780313351167
• Wright, Arnold (2012), Twentieth Century Impressions of British Malaya: Its History, People, Commerce, Industries, and Resources, Repressed Publishing LLC, (originally first published in 1908), ISBN   9781462298440
• Aris Ananta, Evi Nurvidya Arifin (2004), International Migration in Southeast Asia, ISEAS Publishing, ISBN   978-981-230-279-3
• Stubbs, Richard (2005), Rethinking Asia's Economic Miracle: The Political Economy of War, Prosperity, Red Globe Press, ISBN   978-0333964613

External links

• Overseas Malaysian Communities