Malaysia-Singapore
Special link
..The 10,000 permanent residents hold top positions in Singapore’s government and private sector. Star letter.
Apr 21, 2008

'Don’t forget Singapore link'
AS a Malaysian Chinese who migrated to Singapore in the early 80s, I have been a Singapore permanent resident for over two decades.

Having been offered a place in the National University of Singapore, I graduated and am now working here but still keeping up with political developments in Malaysia and, of course, Singapore.

The current turn of events after the general election suddenly shook my understanding of what Malaysia's future can and would be.

Before the elections, I was most curious as the Internet and email were buzzing with anti-establishment fervour. This was a development that never happened before.

In my 20 years here, I got to know a few things about the white-collar Malaysian Chinese community in Singapore. We are among the top in earnings and education in the expatriate community in Singapore.

There may be as many as 10,000 Malaysian Chinese holding senior executive positions in multinational corporations as well as in the Singapore government.

This group of Malaysians represents the creme de la creme of the brain drain that started in the 1970s and stretched right up to the early 2000s.

Yet, until now, not a single Malaysian government leader or politician has ever come to Singapore to build rapport with this community.

I do not understand why except to hazard a guess that it was plain complacency. Or worse, maybe that the prevailing thinking is those who work in Singapore have already voted with their feet.

However, that would be far from the truth. Many may be apolitical but they are most able.

Most have plenty to gain from a Malaysia that continues to prosper. And they also have a lot to lose if Malaysia fails to be competitive in the globalised world.

With the current uncertainty, I wonder if anyone in the Malaysian government believes in the resource of Malaysians living in Singapore.

What is certain to me is that this linkage will be strategic in influence and support. It will be good not only for Malaysia, but also in helping to create stronger Malaysia-Singapore ties.
Shook and Spirited,
Singapore.