“I’ll Probably Work Until I Die”: Malaysian-Turned-Singaporean Regrets Giving Up Citizenship

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A Malaysian man who gave up his citizenship to become a Singaporean now says he “deeply regrets” the decision, facing high living costs and the grim prospect of having to “work until I die.”

The man, who now works as a private-hire driver in Singapore, opened up about his regrets during a recent conversation with a passenger – a candid exchange that has sparked discussion about the true cost of switching nationalities.

The passenger later shared their conversation on Reddit, painting a sobering picture of life as a new Singaporean citizen struggling with the reality behind the dream.

The driver told his passenger that, despite becoming a Singaporean citizen, soaring daily expenses have left him anxious about the future.

So much so that he’s resigned to the possibility of working for the rest of his life, with no realistic retirement in sight.

The post has since been deleted, but not before it spawned numerous conversations and debates online.

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One Citizenship Kept, Two Children Tied Down

His only hope now? That his wife kept her Malaysian citizenship, leaving the door open for the couple to return to Malaysia for retirement someday.

But even that plan has complications.

The driver revealed that his two children were born in Singapore and hold Singaporean citizenship, meaning they’ll be required to fulfil National Service obligations.

The weight of these long-term family commitments, he said, has only added to his stress.

He’s far from alone in his predicament, as over 61,000 Malaysians renounced their citizenship in the past five years to become Singaporean citizens, driven largely by economic opportunities and family factors.

But his story raises an uncomfortable question: How many of them are now having second thoughts?

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“Think Very Carefully Before You Give It Up”

The passenger, moved by the driver’s predicament, took to social media to warn other Malaysians: Think very carefully before giving up your citizenship – the cost is far greater than you imagine.

He pointed out the advantages Malaysians take for granted that Singapore simply cannot offer.

Access to land and space to grow vegetables or enjoy countryside life, versus living in regulated HDB flats, and no mandatory military service, unlike Singaporean men who must complete two years of National Service plus reservist duties.

Even if you live in a big city with a fast pace, Malaysians can still choose a slower lifestyle – in Singapore, that’s almost impossible.

His advice? Treat Singapore as a place to make money, not a permanent home.

He noted that Singapore’s dense population means new citizens could spend their entire lives surrounded by concrete as more forests are cleared for housing.

Yes, Singapore offers safety and convenience – but is it enough to justify giving up Malaysian citizenship?

READ MORE: Malaysian Woman Earning RM7K Monthly Still Gets Pressured By Parents To Work In Singapore

READ MORE: Singapore Job Offer Sparks Malaysian Healthcare Worker’s Triple-Salary Dilemma

READ MORE: Malaysian No More – Johorian Ronny Chieng Becomes US Citizen

Parts of this story have been sourced from China Press.

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“I’ll Probably Work Until I Die”: Malaysian-Turned-Singaporean Regrets Giving Up Citizenship
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