Malaysians living in Singapore — while being able to look forward to a more stable, meritocratic environment and superior efficiency — have to cope with the invisible stress and other limitations.

Malaysians who manage to stay and get adapted to life here have done so out of their personal inclinations or more promising career prospects. But even as they work or live in a different country, many still have Malaysia very much inside their hearts, a place they would always call home.

Discrimination

To JB-born Christina Tan, although life is moving on the fast lane in Singapore, the constant demand for unrelenting on-job efficiency is a source of tremendous stress, but could also provide an opportunity for her to keep upgrading herself and learn new things.

In addition, the city state's enviable environment and safety, equitable government policies and meritocracy have made her more willing to stay in Singapore to advance her career.

Christina Tan — who like many in JB watched Singapore TV channels, listened to Singapore radio and was well familiar with Singapore's happenings since young — went to Singapore alone to work after her "A" level at the age of 20.

"Singapore is relatively safe, with very convenient public transport and not a lot different from Malaysia in terms of culture and lifestyle. So my family had no problem leaving me alone in Singapore."

After working at a sales department of an auditing firm for four years, she began to take up a part-time bachelor's degree course in market management.

Having lived in Singapore for 11 years now, Christina Tan is well adapted to life here today.

She admitted that without a professional certificate and with a relatively poor command of English when she first came to Singapore, she had the bad experiences of discrimination.

"English is the predominant language of communication here. In the beginning I tried not to talk too much for fear people would laugh at me. It was embarrassing but it nevertheless inspired me to work harder to improve myself so that no one would discriminate against me in future."

The pull factors

Despite the early unpleasant experiences, Christina Tan did not choose to go back to Malaysia because she did not have previous job experiences there while the currency exchange rate was an important consideration too. As the only child in the family, she wanted her retired parents to have a more comfortable life, and decided to upgrade and transform herself to fit into Singapore's highly demanding society.

She finally made it as a customer relationship manager at a Singapore bank.

As for the smothering stress having to work in Singapore, Christina Tan said she had her own ways to deal with that, such as joining a free exercise class provided by Singapore government.

Christina has adapted so well into the tiny city-state's environment and system and has even thought of applying for Singapore citizenship.

Back after retirement

Meanwhile, her husband Edward Ho, also a Singapore PR, has decided to keep his Malaysian citizenship and go back to Malaysia only for retirement.

There are many things that have prompted Christina Tan to want to give up her Malaysian citizenship, including Singapore's exemplary education system, social assurances, convenient public transportation that will allow her children to take a bus to school safely, and the absence of "quotas", among other things.

She was among many Malaysians who went back to vote in the last general elections. However, she sees that there has been not much improvement despite a change in federal government and her disappointment has grown increasingly stronger, in particular with educational policies.

She still goes back to JB every weekend to see her parents. Although she is seriously considering giving up her Malaysian citizenship, to her, Malaysia always remains her "home country".

Christina Tan's husband Edward Ho found a suitable job in Singapore back in 2013, and joined the massive army of Malaysian workers having to make the challenging daily commutes across the heavily congested causeway. After some time, he decided to live in Singapore and go back to JB only in the weekends.

An engineering manager, Edward Ho had the experience of working in Singapore before he went to the university. He sent his CV to Singapore after graduation but didn't manage to get a chance at that time.

Seeing the lack of career advancement prospects in JB, he continued to look for a job across the causeway and managed to get one about five or six years ago.

Unlike his wife, Edward Ho has no intention of applying for Singapore citizenship.

"I don't rule out the possibility of returning to JB for work even though I don't think I have good chances there. There are things to consider such as options and pay. Perhaps I will return to Malaysia only after retirement!"