Malaysians working in Singapore share their experiences
Many look for work beyond our country for varying reasons. Some are drawn to the novelty and excitement of living and working abroad, while others may find the demand for their skills higher elsewhere or may simply just be seeking a change of weather.
We Malaysians are no strangers to watching friends and family seek out jobs in neighbouring Singapore to chase that elusive SGD. As rewarding as it may sound, working in the Lion City comes with its challenges: the pain of searching for a suitable rental, the different work culture, and the constant ache of missing loved ones back at home.
We spoke to five Malaysians working in various industries in Singapore to get their insights on what it is like to work in the city-state.
Note: Responses have been edited for clarity. Some names have been changed for anonymity.
1. “You’ll have to be much more intentional to maintain your relationships back at home”
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Malaysians who chase the “Singaporean Dream” tend to be extremely mindful about uprooting their lives to advance their career goals across the Causeway. But that wasn’t the case for Jia-Yee, who has lived in Singapore since she was 14 years old.
Having been given the chance to study in another country at a tender age, the move wasn’t much of a purposeful decision at the start for her. But it challenged her growth in many aspects of her life throughout the years.
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“I studied in Singapore throughout high school and university. Back then, all that mattered to me was to keep pushing through and do what it takes to maintain my scholarship”, Jia-Yee shared. “I started working here 3 years ago, and that was when my mindset shifted. There’s more intention with what I’m doing here now. I have my goals that I would like to achieve, career and character-wise”.
As a software engineer, she acknowledges that she’s lucky to be able to work remotely and save on transportation fees, as prior to this arrangement, she had to travel 30 minutes to reach her office. Even with transportation aside, accommodation and living expenses take up a significant portion of her salary every month.
Living away from family for such a long time can also be tough for many, and Jia-Yee admits that while it has taught her to be independent, maintaining relationships with loved ones back in Malaysia requires a lot of intentional effort.
She elaborated: “We call often, of course, but it’s just different from spending time in person. Travelling home to Penang constantly isn’t cheap either”.
2. “Don’t be blinded by the mere desire for a paycheck with higher currency”
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What Malaysian would say no to an attractive salary, especially when it comes with the SGD symbol on payslips? This was the reason Kelly from Johor took up a job as a logistic operation controller at a Singaporean company.
However, it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows to earn the job. She shared, “Different companies have varying foreign worker quotas and levy requirements, so that could affect your chances of getting hired. There’s also the different types of working passes in Singapore to consider”.
Kelly said that life doesn’t get automatically easy and breezy as some might think once you’re earning SGD either. She stresses that the work culture in Singapore is a lot more competitive and fast-paced, and places a high value on efficiency and productivity.
“It was a lot more chill back in Malaysia, for sure. Here, you have to constantly be on your toes”, she elaborated. “CPFs aren’t granted to foreigners either, so you’ll have to be able to manage your finances well”.
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This sounds like a case of ‘the grass isn’t always greener on the other side’, but Kelly remarked that she’s sharing sound and practical advice to help those who are looking to search for a job overseas.
“It is easy to be blinded by the better salary packages in Singapore, but do be realistic and plan out your finances before you jump at an offer. Sometimes, the pay-off isn’t worth it, what with the high living costs here and the struggle you may have to endure to adapt”.
On her work commute, Kelly says that she spends nearly an hour travelling to and from work daily by train, which she finds convenient other than the fact that peak hours can get rather overwhelming.
3. “I worked hard to get a job in SG as I wanted to be physically together with my girlfriend”
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There’s nothing sweeter than a love that also serves as a motivator, amiright?
Such is the story of Jake from Johor, who worked hard to secure a job in Singapore so he could end the pains of a long-distance relationship with his girlfriend, who also works in the Lion City.
“It was a good move for me occupation-wise too. When it comes to the R&D market in Malaysia, I wasn’t too pleased with the company culture and lack of growth opportunities where I was at”, he shared, citing that the strong currency was undeniably a huge motivator as well.
And like most job search processes – and love stories – his journey wasn’t an easy one.
“I applied to hundreds of jobs at companies in Singapore when I first graduated, but to no avail”, Jake laughed. But he persevered and eventually landed a role as a product design engineer at a prominent IT company in the city.
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“What helped was my work experience from back at home, I’m sure”, he said thoughtfully, emphasising that tailoring a good resume that showcases one’s experiences will help a ton. “Possessing a good degree is something of an ‘entrance ticket’ to work here, but there’s a lot more to it than just that”.
Apart from the hour-long travelling journey to work every day, all is well and flourishing for Jake who finds his working life in Singapore a fulfilling one.
4. “I feel close to home, but not quite”
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Unlike most Malaysians who struggle to secure a job in the Lion City, YC from Johor, landed her very first job in Singapore after failing to receive any offers back in Malaysia. In some ways, it was a blessing in disguise. She said of her experience: “I have learnt and grown a lot for sure”.
As a fresh graduate working away from home, YC was forced to adapt and challenge herself in various situations as a care coordinator at a tertiary hospital. The role demands attention and care towards patients, as much as it requires knowledge, so there were a lot of expectations on her performance at work.
“It definitely wasn’t easy initially, especially with the fast-paced working environment here”, she shared. “The hours are long, and work even has to be brought home at times. I’ve had moments where I felt burned out”.
The one-hour journey to work daily takes up a bulk of her time too, so she always feels drained by the end of the day.
While YC was grateful for how the experience moulded her into a more resilient person, she can’t say for sure if it was worth all the stress, as well as the ache of missing home.
“I chose Singapore as an alternative as I could be closer to my loved ones than if I worked anywhere else. But with how hectic everything has been at work, home feels like a lifetime away”, she mused.
5. “I was so afraid that I’d become a stranger to my own kids”
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There’s no love greater than a parent’s, and Zhi Teng from Johor, a father of two young children, is proof of that.
It was during the Covid-19 pandemic when Zhi Teng secured a job at a bank in Singapore after being let go from his company in Malaysia. Grateful as he was, it also meant that he would have to be apart from his wife and children while he worked hard to earn a living for his family.
As travelling across borders was out of the question during the various lockdowns in both countries, he rented a small space in Singapore and communicated with his family through video calls. “I saw them in person for the first time in almost 2 years”, he shared. “It saddened me to see how much my kids had grown while I was away, but I did not have much choice”.
Though he is still currently working in Singapore, Zhi Teng shares that the situation has improved, now that he can head back home every weekend: “Travelling can be a hassle, but I’ll do whatever I can to spend some time with my family”.
Travel easy with Lylo’s Workplace Concierge Services
One’s personal experience working overseas isn’t like everyone else’s. Getting to work in the Lion City depends on individual circumstances, and in many cases, luck. As the above Malaysian stories show, looking for and sustaining a Singaporean job will take courage, confidence, and commitment.
But no matter how great their Singaporean job experience is, all Malaysians share a general consensus when it comes to one downside: the agony of missing loved ones back at home.
Image credit: Lylo
There’s no need to choose a career over time well-spent with your loved ones when there’s Lylo. The workplace transport concierge service offers working commuters a convenient transportation alternative for daily travel across Singapore and Johor.
When your mind is already swamped with workplace matters, Lylo’s concierge transport service transcends mere convenience with its door-to-door pick-up service. A weekend spent with the family in Malaysia does not have to be compromised just so you can be at your office desk in time when the work week starts.
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You also have the option to carpool with a group of people with up to four stops, at a price range of $14-28 (~ RM47-93), to enjoy an equally comfortable journey at a lower rate.
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So, take a step towards your ideal work-life balance by letting Lylo handle your travel hassles.
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This post was brought to you by Lylo.
Cover image is for illustration purposes only. Image credit to TheSmartLocal.