• About Us
    • Fact Checking Policy
    • Ownership & funding information
    • Volunteer
  • Subscribe
  • Letter submission
    • Submissions Policy
  • Contact Us
The Online Citizen Asia
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Commentaries
    • Letters
    • Comments
  • Current Affairs
    • Singapore
    • Malaysia
    • Indonesia
    • China
    • ASEAN
    • Asia
    • International
  • Finance
    • Economics
    • Labour
    • Property
    • Business
  • Community
    • Arts & Culture
    • Consumer Watch
    • NGO
    • Lifestyle
    • Travel
  • Politics
    • Civil Society
    • Parliament
    • Transport
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Housing
  • Law & Order
    • Legislation
    • Court Cases
No Result
View All Result
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Commentaries
    • Letters
    • Comments
  • Current Affairs
    • Singapore
    • Malaysia
    • Indonesia
    • China
    • ASEAN
    • Asia
    • International
  • Finance
    • Economics
    • Labour
    • Property
    • Business
  • Community
    • Arts & Culture
    • Consumer Watch
    • NGO
    • Lifestyle
    • Travel
  • Politics
    • Civil Society
    • Parliament
    • Transport
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Housing
  • Law & Order
    • Legislation
    • Court Cases
No Result
View All Result
The Online Citizen Asia
No Result
View All Result

Malaysians vs Singaporeans – let’s get this over and done with!

by onlinecitizen
21/04/2012
in Commentaries, Current Affairs
Reading Time: 6 mins read
0

~ By Melissa Tee ~

I don’t know how many can relate to this experience of mine, but I am certain I am not the only one. As a Singaporean student studying overseas, I encounter a lot of other Malaysian students. As the Singaporean community is small and we have heaps of similarities with Malaysians, we interact on a daily basis.  Once in a while, there is the friendly debate about whose food is tastier or whose water is purer (yes, NEWater, we get it). However, there are times where the debate gets out of hand. It becomes a verbal spar between who is better. Sometimes when you are the lone Singaporean against three other Malaysians, you feel like you are losing a battle.

So I’m going to get the facts straight once and for all.

1.  Race/Religious-Relations

As much as we would like to compare our racial policies against our neighbour’s, the truth is, we are very different. Singapore has adopted a multi-racial/religious policy while Malaysia has adopted a policy that prides Malay (and Islam) hegemony.  This may be a weak example but Article 3(1) of the Constitution of Malaysia states that ‘Islam is the religion of the Federation; but other religions may be practised in peace and harmony in any part of the Federation’ while Part IV(15) of the Constitution of the Republic of Singapore states that ‘Every person has the right to profess and practise his religion and to propagate it.’  If we compare the statements, both imply that they practice multi-culturalism but Malaysia has an added level in which there is Malay/Islam hegemomy.*

2.  Language

“Singaporeans have an identity crisis because their national anthem is in Malay and yet they cannot understand it.”

Part XIII 153A of the Constitution of The Republic of Singapore

(1)  Malay, Mandarin, Tamil and English shall be the 4 official languages in Singapore.

(2)  The national language shall be the Malay language and shall be in the Roman Script.

Looking at Part XIII 153(A) (2) of the Singapore Constitution, it is not surprising our national anthem is in Malay.

But why then do many non-Malays not understand the national language? There are two reasons. First, English has become the main language of communication. In the early years of Singapore, Malay was the main language of communication. As we moved towards the 21st century, English permeated such that it became an integral, unshakable part of Singapore.

Second, Singapore’s bilingual policy is such that if you are Chinese, you learn Mandarin, and if you are Malay, you learn Malay etc. Hence, while Malay may be the national language, the fact that we do not practice it daily has hindered us from truly learning it. However, schools do make an effort to teach the meaning of the National Anthem to students. For the reasons explained, we do not have an identity crisis.

3.  Malaysia/Singapore Food is Better

In 2009, it was reported in Malaysia that “Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen said there were many dishes synonymous with Malaysia’s identity but they had been “hijacked” by other countries” (Laksa and nasi lemak among our pride, says Yen Yen, The Star, 17 Sep 2009).

Singapore has also made similar claims in the past.

If you are a foodie like me, you will realise that when you compare Malaysian food to Singaporean food, you are comparing apples to oranges. Our food is different and is suited to local taste and ingredients. Ultimately, each man to his own.

Here are some examples:

(1)  Malaysia’s Hokkien Mee is black while Singapore’s Hokkien Mee is white

(2)  Malaysia’s Bak Ku Teh has loads of different ingredients while Singapore’s Bak Ku Teh is usually made of pork ribs and is peppery

(3)  Malaysia’s Char Kway Teow is savoury while Singapore’s Char Kway Teow is sweet

(4)  Malaysia calls their fried Indian bread Roti Canai while Singapore calls it Roti Prata

The list goes on, but the Laksa must be mentioned. There is Penang Laksa, Katong (Singapore) Laksa, Johor Laksa, Assam Laksa, and Sarawak Laksa. Even Thailand has their own version of Laksa. How can we compare?

4.  Water

The argument often goes

Argument 1 by Malaysia: “If Malaysia turns off the tap, Singapore won’t survive”

Retort by Singapore: “But Singapore sells back treated water to Malaysia!”

Argument 2 by Malysia: “So what?! The water you drink is from the loo”

On Argument 1 on turning off the tap, the reality is that it is highly unlikely because of the close relations between Singapore and Malaysia (Introducing newater: The city state's bid for self-sufficiency, The Economist, 09 Jan 2003). However, it must be noted that water has always been (and will always be) used as a political tool.

On Argument 2 on 'loo water', honestly, Singaporeans are perfectly fine drinking recycled water. I remember when NEWater was first introduced, I felt a bit uncomfortable but after a while, I got used to it. Apparently, NEWater is purer than many other sorts of drinking water. And you cannot deny that NEWater is a creative manner in finding ways of reducing water imports (on top of the traditional desalination plants and reservoirs).

5.  Resources

“Malaysia has more people and land.”

Alright, we agree. No disputes. Singapore makes up for it with human capital.

The list may go on but the point is this. As much as we like to compare both our countries, we are pretty different. There are many similarities in our roots but as time has shown, it is pretty clear that we have taken different paths. So I’m just settling the record once and for all – stop reusing the same arguments and put each other down in such a demeaning manner. In all reality, we work pretty well together, and Singaporeans and Malaysians actually complement each other.

____________________________________

 

For just US$7.50 a month, sign up as a subscriber on The Online Citizen Asia (and enjoy ads-free experience on our site) to support our mission to transform TOC into an alternative mainstream press.

Related Posts

Minister refutes claims of Malaysia consulting Singapore on housing policy due to its inefficient civil service
Housing

Minister refutes claims of Malaysia consulting Singapore on housing policy due to its inefficient civil service

27/01/2023
457 civil society organizations call on ASEAN to move beyond the Five-Point Consensus
AFP

Myanmar junta sets out tough new rules for political parties

27/01/2023
Thai ruling party names deputy PM as main election candidate
AFP

Thai ruling party names deputy PM as main election candidate

27/01/2023
Mrs Teo says SG continues to invest in training local talent while MNCs transfer staff to work in SG
Labour

Mrs Teo says SG continues to invest in training local talent while MNCs transfer staff to work in SG

27/01/2023
One third of Amazon ‘degraded’ by human activity, drought: study
AFP

One third of Amazon ‘degraded’ by human activity, drought: study

27/01/2023
Luxembourg court sets aside Sulu heirs’ attachment order to enforce US$15b claim against Malaysia
Court Cases

Luxembourg court sets aside Sulu heirs’ attachment order to enforce US$15b claim against Malaysia

27/01/2023
Subscribe
Connect withD
Login
I allow to create an account
When you login first time using a Social Login button, we collect your account public profile information shared by Social Login provider, based on your privacy settings. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. Once your account is created, you'll be logged-in to this account.
DisagreeAgree
Notify of
Connect withD
I allow to create an account
When you login first time using a Social Login button, we collect your account public profile information shared by Social Login provider, based on your privacy settings. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. Once your account is created, you'll be logged-in to this account.
DisagreeAgree
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Latest posts

Minister refutes claims of Malaysia consulting Singapore on housing policy due to its inefficient civil service

Minister refutes claims of Malaysia consulting Singapore on housing policy due to its inefficient civil service

27/01/2023
457 civil society organizations call on ASEAN to move beyond the Five-Point Consensus

Myanmar junta sets out tough new rules for political parties

27/01/2023
Thai ruling party names deputy PM as main election candidate

Thai ruling party names deputy PM as main election candidate

27/01/2023
Mrs Teo says SG continues to invest in training local talent while MNCs transfer staff to work in SG

Mrs Teo says SG continues to invest in training local talent while MNCs transfer staff to work in SG

27/01/2023
One third of Amazon ‘degraded’ by human activity, drought: study

One third of Amazon ‘degraded’ by human activity, drought: study

27/01/2023
Luxembourg court sets aside Sulu heirs’ attachment order to enforce US$15b claim against Malaysia

Luxembourg court sets aside Sulu heirs’ attachment order to enforce US$15b claim against Malaysia

27/01/2023
Philippines to appeal ICC resumption of drug war probe

Philippines to appeal ICC resumption of drug war probe

27/01/2023

ASEAN governments must stop using ‘lawfare’ against critics, Southeast Asian MPs say

27/01/2023

Trending posts

Two Indian nationals paid about S$330 and S$730 respectively for forged certificates submitted in their S-Pass application

MOM found issuing EPs meant for foreign PMETs to PRC waitress and general worker

by Correspondent
26/01/2023
33

...

Ho Ching breaks silence over Temasek’s write down of its US$275 million investment in FTX, says it “can afford to be contrarian”

US regulator questions VCs’ due diligence work prior to investing in FTX; Ho Ching says Temasek can afford to be contrarian

by The Online Citizen
24/01/2023
28

...

Indian rupee falls 60% since signing of CECA while Singapore becomes top investor in India

by Correspondent
25/01/2023
49

...

Malaysians vs Singaporeans – let’s get this over and done with!

by onlinecitizen
21/04/2012
0

...

“党籍不会过期失效”  前进党称已就党籍终止知会卡拉

AGC asked to explain purposes of 68 private letters of inmates illegitimately forwarded to prosecutors

by The Online Citizen
21/01/2023
16

...

Temasek and GIC reportedly in talks with Adani Group accused of “brazen” market manipulation and accounting fraud

Temasek and GIC reportedly in talks with Adani Group accused of “brazen” market manipulation and accounting fraud

by The Online Citizen
26/01/2023
40

...

April 2012
M T W T F S S
 1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
23242526272829
30  
« Mar   May »
  • About Us
  • Subscribe
  • Letter submission
  • Contact Us

© 2006 - 2021 The Online Citizen

No Result
View All Result
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Commentaries
    • Comments
  • Current Affairs
    • Malaysia
    • Indonesia
    • China
    • ASEAN
    • Asia
    • International
  • Finance
    • Economics
    • Labour
    • Property
    • Business
  • Community
    • Civil Society
    • Arts & Culture
    • Consumer Watch
    • NGO
  • Politics
    • Parliament
    • Transport
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Housing
  • Law & Order
    • Legislation
    • Court Cases
  • Lifestyle
    • Travel
  • Subscribers login

© 2006 - 2021 The Online Citizen

wpDiscuz