Prior to my studying in Singapore, my last touch down was in the early 90s – a holiday trip with my family. I was just a child then, not knowing of the historical background and the political relationship that existed between Malaysia and Singapore. All I knew was that I was on holiday – ABROAD! I remembered MRT and the station Queenstown, I remembered Jurong Bird Park and the Night Safari…
Now that I’m older and have spent nearly two years studying in Singapore, the idea of which country is better off always popped up in my mind. My dialogue sessions here in Singapore with my beloved Singaporean friends are always bombarded with rough criticism about Malaysia and its flaws – the inefficient civil services, the inevitable traffic congestions, corruption and money laundering, immigration problems, unevenly developed regions… and the list goes on. And very often or not I find myself explaining and defending my country – a contradictory personality of mine if I was staying in Malaysia. I suppose patriotism and nationalism really hooked onto me after the NS days. Then upon my return to my heavenly hostel, would bitch with other fellow Malaysians about the Singaporeans and their naïve actions.
“It seems to me that Malaysians view Singaporeans as materialistic snobs while Singaporeans view Malaysians as being lazy and backward”
“Most teenagers in Malaysia view their Singaporean counterparts as trendy dressers with cool music tastes, but also as unappealingly kiasu and sadly deprived of chewing gum”
Back in secondary school days. I always thought that Malaysia and Singapore are the same in terms of living standards and stage of development, just that they speak more English and have better taste while we speak more Malay and can get away with double parking most of the time!
“They’re supposedly the superior nation, economically and whatnot, but you wouldn’t have guessed it. They need constant reassurance and this play (referring to Separation 40) gives them an opportunity to laugh at Malaysia and feel good about themselves. It’s so pathetic”
Many of my Singaporean counterparts often tell me how the Singapore army can take over Johor within 6 hours or less. I always wondered why they have the time to even think about attacking Malaysia when most of them are half Malaysians or have relatives in Malaysia! It’s true I suppose then that they always need the reassurance, but who doesn’t? Some people tend to be modest and not boast about it, but some just need a comfort blanket.
“It’s not uncommon for Malaysians to feel this same combination of scorn and apprehension about that tiny little country south of the border, also in the mix is often a smidgen of envy although not many would admit to it.”
“Malaysia feels a bit sore that since the separation, Singapore has grown from strength to strength in a relatively short time, as compared with Malaysia, which remains largely under-developed”
It cannot be denied that Singapore has advanced faster than Malaysia, and it is this that the ‘bitch fights’ began. What’s with the causeway issue and all, it is all-personal in the end.
“I feel very sorry for Singaporeans because only a minute portion of them are enjoying the good life… The General population is restricted in so many ways that it is difficult for them to achieve their dreams… Here in Malaysia there is the feel that anything can happen and one is mistress of one’s destiny. The environment is conducive to creativity and there is room to breathe. I can do without Singapore’s amenities and queues for everything and wouldn’t exchange our bumpy highways and work half-day-everyday public service for nothing… I think in a way though, Malaysia needs Singapore to provide a level of competitiveness. Otherwise, Malaysia might become too complacent. And without Malaysia, Singaporeans would become too cocky!”
When I lived in Singapore, many of them see me as a super mugger who studies non-stop, hence the title Scholar Lam. Come to think of it, many of them are the true hardcore muggers who will not put down their lecture notes for a smell of fresh cut grass. And when I told them my interest in studying at Manchester University (a not so top university in UK no offence), they gave me the disapproving look stating the reason ‘of all places’. The urge to stay ahead of the game has been brought to another level, where 99.99% just won’t do. Competition and pressure has been integrated into part of their lives, and although it is a good thing, the deprivation of rest and tranquillity is unbearable for me.
“It’s not a matter of thinking it’s better than Malaysia. However, I’ve lived here (Singapore) so long that I am used to it”
So on whether which country is better off actually depends on the person him/herself. If he/she can view very strong competition, stricter nanny-like regulations and the inheritance of the kiasu gene as ‘ok’, then he/she would think Singapore is the ideal place to stay. Then again, if one’s looking for some ‘mess’, more breathing space and closer to nature sort, Malaysia is the country to prefer.
It’s been 40 years since Singapore and Malaysia went their separate ways. And it’s been great living in Singapore. I wouldn’t mind migrating there, but I DO MIND converting into one!
Lam Chee Kiang is a columnist for DJCK's website ghettoblaster.blogspot.com
Excerpts from the Sunday Star Magazine 30 October 2005: Too Close For Comfort?
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