SINGAPORE: A Singaporean Reddit user has shared how a routine e-hailing journey turned reflective after his driver revealed he was a former Malaysian who regretted giving up his citizenship,
Weird Kaya reported.
According to the post, the driver had since become a Singaporean citizen but did not express pride in the decision.
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Instead, the driver reportedly said he now expects to “work until he’s dead” as daily living costs in Singapore continue to rise.
He added that saving enough for a comfortable retirement in the city-state now feels increasingly out of reach.
Despite this, the driver said his retirement plans still depend on Malaysia, as his wife remains a Malaysian citizen.
This leaves the couple with the option of returning to Malaysia to retire, although the situation is complicated.
Their two children are Singaporeans by birth, meaning future obligations such as National Service will have to be taken into account.
Sharing the encounter online, the Reddit user said Malaysians considering migration should think carefully before giving up citizenship.
He argued that Malaysia offers more land and space, allowing for quieter living away from busy city centres, unlike Singapore’s dense urban environment dominated by public housing.
The user concluded that while Singapore offers safety and convenience, Malaysians may be better off treating it as a place to work rather than a place to settle permanently.
