Thread by @twt_malaysia

How's everyone? Hope u had a nice dinner/buka puasa meal. If u are like me with no social life, then we can start another discussion.

Non medical related lah, dont worry. 😂

My friend doc @timahkinta tweeted something a few days ago (sorry cant find his reply now) but it goes something like;

Do Malaysians still identify themselves as Malaysians, after staying in Singapore for a certain period?

U all have been waiting for a MY vs SG topic right? 😜

I dont think I am in a position to answer that, as I'm only here in SG for 10 months or so. But since I'm the curator, I will give my 2 cents worth 😂

Fr some news portals, it seems there r about 300-400k Msians in SG, some even state the number up to 1/2 a million.

Whatever the number is, the fact remains there r MANY Msians here. We are everywhere. I have Msians workmates, the guy who makes my kopi in Toastbox is Msian. Pretty sure some of the neighbours are too.

Btw, topic is open for discussion. Pls celah at anytime. Will reply later

It's inevitable that ppl will compare, or ask us how is it here, is it really better. I myself got the question I think for a couple of months.

I find the question a little strange but not surprising.

In all honesty, this couldnt be a more different country, in many ways.

Ever since the split, the direction of both countries is splintered to opposite directions.

While demographic is similar, many things arent. Economically both countries are different. Not to mention size, resources, politics.

In a way, it's definitely a foreign country.

Yet among all those differences, we still share many similarities. We were once the same country. Our people, cultures and beliefs are almost the same (I still cant get used to Singlish though 😂)

So Msians assimilate pretty well here. We are pretty much welcomed here actually.

And that is what makes the relationship between both countries & its people so interesting.

Probably one of the most unique bilateral relations in the world.

In the end, we form some sort of a symbiotic relationship. Many Msians come here to work, earn a honest living, trying to look for more opportunities.

Singaporeans love our food (they do, they just dont really like to admit ours is better), they love to go over for holidays.

If I were to describe each set of people;

Singaporeans started off as underdogs after the split, they know that & made their mark in the world. They r fiercely proud & wouldnt stand down for anybody.

Msians r no less proud though. Our sense of patriotism knows no limit & I would like to think it is because of our past struggle for true independence & sometimes heated moments in history.

But we band together when most needed, evident from recent events.

So where does that leave us?

TBH, I dont think we need to categorise it, whether a Msian in SG or vice versa. Both sets of ppl r proud & I think that's the way it should be.

Would I feel less Msian after 1, 5 or 10 years here? I think I can confidently say no.

The world is getting smaller by the day. A location doesnt determine your patriotism or identity.

We r used to pointing out our differences but we should be celebrating our diversity & similarities at the same time

(that sentence totally doesnt makes sense, I know)

Sure we like to take jabs at each other. A little friendly banter is nice, good even for the spirits.

But truth is, I think we are more alike than we care to admit, yet different enough to be able to identify ourselves as Malaysian or Singaporean.

And that is the beauty of it.

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