My friend Patrick did a guest blogger act by posting a really long comment in my post the day before. I like discussions and really appreciate such good comments. In fact, many of my blog posts were results of readers' comments. It became somewhat a viscous cycle - the more posts I did, the more comments and the more things I ended up writing.
Here is an extract of part of Patrick's comment in the post:
One thing I've noticed about Malaysians is they are more mobile than Singaporeans in going places. People asked why there are not many prominent Singaporeans in Australia. The Malaysians started moving many years ago! I believe this is partly due to a less kiasi attitude and partly lack of opportunities at home.
The latest population statistics released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics was in 2006. The 2011 release is coming out soon. With what's best available, let me share with you a surprising finding. Why surprising? If you read Patrick's comments you would have agreed with him, no? I did.
I dare say the number of Singaporeans have increased significantly since 2006, likely at a much faster rate than Malaysians migrants due to the increase of push factors from Singapore. But let's just look at the 2006 figures.
Number of Singaporeans in Perth: 11,199
Number of Malaysians in Perth: 18,939
Number of Singaporeans in Australia: 49,819
Number of Malaysians in Australia: 103,947
Are you surprised? Malaysia has a population of 28 million people as compared to 5 million people in Singapore. (only 3.8 million are Singaporeans). The percentage of Singaporeans that moved to Australia is very high as compared to Malaysians.
There are plenty of conclusions you can draw from this raw data. Feel free to shoot.
No true that Malaysians started moving to Aust many years ago.
ReplyDeleteAlong the Yarra River in Mel, there are monuments describing the migration of different countries to Aust.
One interesting note is that Sings were migrating to Aust no later than the Malaysians. In the early days, the numbers were very small and consisted mostly of laborer and sailors. It's just that in those days, the number of Sings migrating to Aust is just too small. Coupled that with the general education level of the migrants, It's no surprise that Sings didn't leave a large impact/impression here in Aust.
I am not very sure, but we are only the 3rd generation in Singapore. My grandfather, my father, then me. It might be a little too early for our pervious generation to be considering about migrating to another country?
ReplyDeleteAlso, out of the 5mil in Singapore, only a little more than half are Singapore born?
If that is the case, the percentage of migrants are pretty high leh..
And I hope to be one of them in the not too long future..hahah
I think we need to take into consideration of the ethnic group ratio. Back in Malaysia (where i came from), large population are formed by the Bumiputra. If you know what being in the Bumiputra means. I mean no racism here!
ReplyDeleteNo offence here...Perhaps there were more push factors in Malaysia than Singapore earlier on and thus resulting in more Malaysians than Singaporeans moving to Australia first?? Anyway Singapore is catching up in all areas and sometimes Malaysia seems more like a better place.
ReplyDeleteChubby cheeks @Feb 22, 2012 07:09 PM
DeleteI don't agree with that view. When Singapore gained independence, the Malaysian ringgit was worth more than Singapore. The Malaysian economy was also much, much stronger and more developed than Singapore's. That's the reason why the Sing Govt was so desperate to merge with Malaysia. If there was no economic benefit, I think they won't be so enthusiastic.
Granted, economic factors are only one input into the decision to migrate. But if life is comfortable in the person's country of birth and job opportunities were abundant, push factors would diminish greatly.
But from the 70's onwards, (esp with the launch of the NEP) I agree that the push factors in Malaysia made it unbearable not to migrate.
But Patrick's view that Malaysians were more mobile than Sings are just simplistic. I'm sure many would agree that migration consist of many complex factors.
You guys can argue till the cows come home. In the meantime in the real world: Apple, meet Orange.
ReplyDeleteThis is like a dsicussion on whose house is burning faster and who is running out faster. Or which ship is sinking faster, etc. LOL.
ReplyDeleteThe people in charge have their own agenda, and if the price is a few "quitters" (or even a lot), to them, so be it. :(
BTW, if I'm not wrong, even the bumis are leaving, I think...
When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.
ReplyDeleteMalaysians do not have much of a choice. I'm a Malaysian who has lived in all three countries and I would say the standard of living in Australia vs Singapore is almost on par - if you don't mind taking MRTs that is
Cheers
I don't really understand the comments....
ReplyDeleteThe facts are listed here - a far higher proportion of Singaporeans are in Australia than Malaysians and people are saying that there are greater push factors in Malaysia?? How could greater push factors have led to lower numbers proportionately???
It is possible that most of the Singaporeans in Australia are Malays and Indians who are at the receiving end of the policies in Singapore (SAP education, housing quotas etc) but sure that cannot be the entire explanation...
Please help enlighten me
Wow, lei made a very good point.
ReplyDeleteI also agree that many malaysians moved to Australia because of lesser opportunities due to various national policies.
If you ask an average Singaporean and Malaysian if they will consider moving, chances are higher the Malaysian will do so.
Singaporeans are too used to the good life and are moulded from young in a way that does not make them natural worldly go getters.
I am not suggesting one is better than the other but, rather, Malaysians are more inclined and less afraid of working or moving overseas.
The earlier start in Oz probably explain why there are people like Penny Wong and Poh Ling Yeow in Oz but not many prominent Singaporeans here yet.
Malaysians have choices. They are pushed out of Malaysia but they need not go far. Just come to SGP work earn SGD, go back every weekend for parents and friends, what for go all the way to Aust? Convert SGD to MYR and they can live comfortably. No racial issues here since similar culture, gets PR easily and have an edge over locals (can accept lower pay and no NS for guys). 1 more thing, work in SGP weak in english also ok. Many of them here have very bad english, many examples in my company. I'm sure many can't pass IELTS.
ReplyDeleteFor singaporeans, what choice do we have? The nearest to move is Aust.
MJ
well...not all malaysians have bad command of english and neither all singaporeans have good command of english. though i do agree that coming to work in singapore in hoards sounds like a good idea, since it's close by and there's little to adjust to in view of similarity in culture and language. what's best is to gain from the strong dollar against the MYR. however, there are many well-heeled malaysians in singapore whom are not here just for that, many are looking long-term. looking towards a more sustainable future for themselves as well as their family. though one can live comfortably in singapore but future is lacking thereof in terms of quality of life. malaysians are made to global nomad, we have high mobility rate, partly due to lack of opportunities back home. but there are two categories of nomad: 1) to gain from economy but still regard malaysia as home 2) to flee from malaysia and to regain footing in a world where they enjoy equal playing field. cat 2 are usually the more educated and well-heeled malaysians. therefore, it's an unfair statement to say that all malaysians have bad command of english and are simply here for the strong dollars.
DeleteIn the near future, the roles will be reversed. The next generations of Singaporeans will be economic nomads.
DeleteI agree with SillyAshy.
DeleteSimple logic:
If their command of English were that bad...MOST Malaysians wouldn't have been able to make it in Australia, which is a FULL-ON English speaking country.
I agree with SillyAshy.
DeleteSimple logic:
If their command of English were that bad...MOST Malaysians wouldn't have been able to make it in Australia, which is a FULL-ON English speaking country.
After 2004 more middle class S'poreans will be heading to Aust as migrants... Remember who took over that year?
ReplyDeletemalaysia...bumiputras. hence so many chinese malaysians here. singapore, most people are too comfy, can't live without the 4cs, the maid, shopping round the clock for more branded stuff to show off plus the endless choice for eating. that's the reason why there are so many more chinese malaysians vs sinkies here. JT
ReplyDeletei doN'T KNOW...I M GROSSLY LOUD N NEGATIVE
ReplyDelete