MALAYSIA: At the 9th Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) in Vladivostok on 5 September 2024, Malaysia Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim highlighted the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict, attributing the crisis to historical injustices and a lack of global consistency on human rights.

PM Anwar stressed that Palestinians deserve equal treatment and called for a coherent and just resolution to the conflict.

PM Anwar attended the forum as part of his visit to the Russian Federation on 4-5 September 2024.

The EEF, which has been held annually since 2015 in Russia’s Far East, aims to promote investment, economic development, and international cooperation in the region.

During the discussion session at the 9th Eastern Economic Forum, PM Anwar was asked about his vision for resolving the Israel-Palestine conflict.

He emphasized that the issue cannot be understood through the limited lens of recent events, arguing that the root cause lies in historical injustices, starting with colonization and the events of 1948.

According to PM Anwar, the continued reluctance to uphold United Nations resolutions and the harassment of Palestinians by settlers have perpetuated the conflict.

PM Anwar acknowledged the efforts of countries like Russia and China in supporting a solution, but he criticized the intransigence of Israel, backed by unwavering US support.

He questioned the West’s stance on human rights and democracy, pointing out the contradictions in their treatment of global issues.

“That’s why I ask my colleagues, even in the West, where is the humanity? Where do we talk about justice? Why do you go and preach to us about human rights and democracy? Why is there a contradiction when it comes to the treatment of issues happening in the world?”

He stressed the need for a consistent and coherent message that upholds freedom, dignity, and opposition to colonization.

The Prime Minister highlighted the ongoing dispossession of Palestinians, who are subjected to land seizures, killings, detentions, and the loss of their homes.

He likened the situation to living in an “open-air prison.”

Despite Malaysia’s limitations as a smaller country, PM Anwar expressed gratitude to its allies for their support but emphasized that the situation is causing widespread concern among those who believe in justice and freedom.

He called for global sanity and accountability, warning that no country or individual can continue to commit gross injustices and expect to remain safe.

“No country and no person can continue to commit gross injustice, tolerate atrocities, and still think they are safe,” PM Anwar said.

PM Anwar concluded by underscoring the need for justice for all, regardless of race, religion, or creed, and insisted that it is time for Palestinians to be treated as human beings, not as second-class citizens.

The humanitarian situation in Gaza has deteriorated sharply due to the relentless Israeli assault on Palestine that began on 7 October.

According to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, famine is imminent, with 1.1 million people—half of Gaza’s population—experiencing catastrophic food insecurity.

Restrictions on fuel supplies have severely limited access to water, sanitation, hygiene, and health services, leading to a surge in communicable diseases.

Additionally, around 1.9 million people in Gaza are now internally displaced.

The Palestine Ministry of Health reports that nearly 41,000 Palestinians have been killed and more than 94,761 injured with over 10,000 individuals are reported missing under the rubble in the Gaza Strip.

SINGAPORE: Following Mediacorp actor Shaun Chen (陈泓宇)’s recent announcement that he and his family have moved back to Malaysia, many netizens have praised his decision as both smart and practical, given Singapore’s rising cost of living.

Additionally, some users observed a growing trend of ‘dual-country living’ among Singaporeans, noting that many are considering retirement in Malaysia or managing the costs of raising children while maintaining connections to Singapore, highlighting broader concerns about healthcare and living expenses.

In an interview with Lianhe Zaobao, Chen, 45, revealed that he and his family moved to the Eco Botanic township estate in Johor Bahru on 1 August.

They are currently renting a place while searching for a home to buy.

Houses in Eco Botanic, a sought-after residential area about a 10-minute drive from Legoland Malaysia, are priced from RM1,000,000 (S$300,000).

His two daughters, who hold Malaysian and Singaporean PR status, are enrolled in an international school in Johor Bahru.

Chen, originally from Negeri Sembilan, explained that the move was largely influenced by his age and his plan to retire in Malaysia eventually.

“I’m not young anymore. I was going to return to Malaysia to retire anyway, so I decided to enroll my daughters into the international school in JB while they are still young,” said the actor.

Chen noted that their new home is just a half-hour drive from the Malaysia-Singapore second link bridge and that their living expenses have decreased by 30 percent since the move.

The cost of international schooling in JB is comparable to the school fees and student-care fees for PRs in Singapore, according to Chen.

Chen mentioned that his daughters, who have been at the new school for less than a month, are enjoying their experience.

They find the environment welcoming, with a manageable workload and opportunities to interact with students from around the world.

Regarding his previous residence, Chen shared that he had owned a house in Tiong Bahru, Singapore, but sold it during the pandemic due to lack of occupancy.

He has also sold his apartment in Singapore.

As for his career, Chen reassured that the move would not impact it.

He said he will continue traveling between Singapore and Malaysia for work, with smooth traffic conditions except during public holidays.

Netizens View Shaun Chen’s Move to Malaysia as a Practical Response to Singapore’s Rising Cost of Living

Commenting on posts by Singapore’s state media Lianhe Zaobao and CNA on Facebook, some users reacted positively to Chen’s decision and suggested that, given the rising cost of living, more Singaporeans might consider relocating to Malaysia for retirement, particularly if their health permits, as it could significantly help manage expenses.

Some commented that it makes sense for Shaun Chen to move to JB since he is Malaysian, noting that the cost of living there could be significantly lower, and that he can afford a larger, freehold property compared to smaller flats.

A comment suggested that it is common for Malaysians to work in Singapore and spend their earnings in Malaysia, which enhances their quality of life. The netizen also pointed out that the high cost of living in Singapore makes this arrangement particularly advantageous.

Concern over raising child in Singapore

Another netizen analysed Chen’s decision in the context of raising children, noting that as children grow, expenses increase.

He noted that, unlike Chen, who can relocate to Malaysia to manage costs, Singaporean citizens like himself have to stay in Singapore and cope with the financial pressures.

A comment questioned why the Singaporean government may not fully consider the reasons many Singaporeans are buying property in Johor Bahru or moving their elderly parents to elder care facilities there, driven by high living and medical costs in Singapore.

The comment also noted that some Singaporeans are migrating or retiring overseas for similar reasons.