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Tag: Malaysia

  • Is Living In Malaysia A Good Move For Singaporeans?

    Is Living In Malaysia A Good Move For Singaporeans?

    Thousands of people cross over the Tuas Second Link and Woodlands Causeway to Singapore daily for work or school. Among them is a growing number of Singaporeans who have chosen to move to Malaysia, and still continue to work in Singapore.

    To some people, living in Johor Bahru or Iskandar, and commuting daily to Singapore seems like a crazy idea – just think of the endless long queues at Customs and perennial Causeway jams. Yet, in view of the favourable currency exchange (Singapore dollars to Ringgit), you would have to agree that such a move does come with huge potential savings and other non-tangible benefits.

    So then, what are some of the major pros and cons of living in our neighbouring country?

    Pros:

    1. Huge potential savings

    As mentioned earlier, with the Ringgit hitting a new record low against the Singapore Dollar, it is as good as having a “pay increment” when you work here and spend in Malaysia.

    Iskandar is three times the size of Singapore. Given the sheer land amount of land available, one of the biggest pull factors that has drawn many Singaporean investors, is the size of the property that you could not possibly buy here for the same amount of money. In other words, you get more land for less money in Malaysia, and also the opportunity to design and build your own home at a more reasonable price.

    In addition, the prices of Johor properties have weakened significantly over the recent months, making now a good time to consider buying a house in Malaysia if you plan to stay there for long. Even if ownership is not in the pipeline, rental there is still very much affordable which means your salary can go further.

    2. More holistic living environment

    As much as we love watching movies and shopping, recreational choices are pretty limited in Singapore. Yet for families who stay in Malaysia, they have easy access to a wide variety of activities at affordable prices, not to mention that Legoland and national parks are all within a short driving distance as well. For them, mall visits and staycations are no longer necessary, as they can easily drive up to Malacca, or even Tioman, for a relaxing, foodie or sightseeing trip over the weekends.

    A bigger house also means more room to cultivate new hobbies that were once not feasible due to a lack of space, like gardening. Imagine the joy of growing your own spice garden at the back of your house, or teaching your young kids how to cycle on your spacious front porch.

    This is this peaceful and laid-back lifestyle that captivated many locals who have made their way across. A slower pace of life, and easy access to a range of wholesome activities are essential, attractive qualities that contribute to a more holistic lifestyle. Quiet nights without hearing the sound of vehicles zooming past, and seeing greenery instead of another concrete block each time you look out the windows, adds icing to the cake.

    Cons:

    1. Traffic is a killer

    Nothing is perfect in this world and living in a foreign land definitely has its fair share of challenges. For Malaysia, traveling from place to place can be rather tricky without a car, especially if you need to travel to and from Singapore. Hence, your daily transportation mode is an important factor to consider before you cross over.

    Even if you do own a car, having to wake up early before 6am to ensure that you beat the jams and reach your office on time, in addition to the exhausting Causeway commute and “gung-ho” driving of fellow Malaysians, can add further stress to an already sleep-deprived mind.

    Staying in Malaysia might work out better for those lucky ones who have flexible working hours or can work from home, as they can avoid the peak hours and enjoy smoother traffic when traveling in and out of Singapore.

    2. Higher reported crime rates

    Let’s face it: we are all too familiar with scary tales of robberies and thefts in Malaysia. To live in constant fear of being robbed can be rather daunting for some of us, and night life is definitely a big no-no for those who prefer to be cautious.

    Not only is installing a home alarm system a necessity in Malaysia, being vigilant on the roads and in public places is also a must if you do not wish to fall prey to lurking thieves.

     

    Source: www.propertyguru.com

  • Speed Dating Goes Halal In Malaysia

    Speed Dating Goes Halal In Malaysia

    Dressed in a headscarf and full-length robe, 24 year-old Nurnadille Edlena takes notes intently as the man before her introduces himself.

    The two are at Halal Speed Dating, a new matchmaking event in Kuala Lumpur that is helping Malaysian Muslims find partners in a largely conservative society where courtship is frowned upon and marriages are often arranged.

    The dating service is halal, meaning permissible under Islamic law, as it is practiced with an Islamic twist: women speed daters must be chaperoned by a wali, or guardian until she gets married and who grants her the permission to do so.

    “I brought my parents as they are the best people who can guide me to find someone,” said Nurnadille.

    “I’m focusing on finding someone who can willingly accept me for who I am.”

    Malaysia is a largely moderate Muslim country, where Islam is the official religion and ethnic Malay Muslims make up two thirds of the 30 million people.

    Many young Malaysians meet as young people do in many places, including through the dating app Tinder and on Facebook, but dating is complicated for young Muslims in Malaysia, where public displays of affection and intimacy before marriage is strictly disapproved of.

    Halal Speed Dating’s founders say most of their clients hope to find a spouse. A client can shortlist up to three possible partners but can only negotiate marriage with one at a time, in accordance with Islamic rules.

    “Halal Speed Dating is the anti-Tinder,” co-founders Zuhri Yuhyi, 34, and Norhayati Ismail, 41, said in a release, referring to the U.S.-based dating app that has gained a reputation for free and easy match-making.

    “Instead of casual hookups, Halal Speed Dating is about dignified and chaperoned meet-ups with the intention of marriage. In fact, we do not condone the modern dating that is commonly practiced.”

    They say their system can prevent what they see as the social ills of premarital sex and adultery, which they believe are fostered by apps like Tinder.

    Norhayati say it is not just Muslims who are interested in their system and making inquires.

    “I can tell people are looking for something new,” she said.

    The founders have organized the event twice in Kuala Lumpur. The first time in May when about 80 people joined, and the second time last week with 60 hopefuls.

    About 2,300 people have signed up to attend a session, most of them urban professionals between the ages of 25 to 35.

    Mohamad Fauzan, 26, who helps to run his family business in Kuala Lumpur, halal speed dating provides another option in his quest to find true love.

    “I’ve done online dating and gone on blind dates, but in our religion, going halal is the better thing to do. It’s better to first get the permission of the parents, but I’m open to all options,” he said.

     

    Source: www.reuters.com

  • Malaysian Trade Union Congress Calls For Six-Hour Work Day

    Malaysian Trade Union Congress Calls For Six-Hour Work Day

    he Malaysian Trade Union Congress (MTUC) has called on the government to implement six-hour work day, citing the health of employees as a reason.

    MTUC president Mohd Khalid Atan told daily Harian Metro that the body has always been championing for lesser working hours, from the current 48 hours per week to 40 hours.

    He cited Sweden as one of the countries which had reduced its working hours from eight hours to six per day.

    He said a majority of workers in the country are working additional hours of up to four hours a day, bringing the total hours of work to 12 hours a day.

    “This has brought various health issues like heart disease, irregular blood circulation and others,” he told the daily.

    “Give them a chance to enjoy a wholesome life which emphasizes on health. This will ensure their work productivity is not affected,” he added.

    The 40 hour work week for a full-time employee has been trimmed to 30 hours at some Swedish firms,CNN reported while some studies have found that the result is more productivity and better morale.

     

    Source: http://english.astroawani.com

  • Militants Intend To Kill Malaysian Who Is Slowing Them Down

    Militants Intend To Kill Malaysian Who Is Slowing Them Down

    KOTA KINABALU: Abu Sayyaf mi­­litants holding two Malaysian hostages are threatening to behead one of them if no payment is made soon as they move bases amid heavy Philippine troops’ movement in Jolo island.

    According to Filipino and Malaysian sources, the Abu Sayyaf group is facing pressure from the Philippine security forces which were closing in on them.

    Apparently, the gunmen wanted the cash fast as one of the two hostages was slowing them down.

    The sources said that Sarawak tourist Bernard Then, 39, had leg injuries and was not able to run with the gunmen during military operations around Jolo.

    Then and restaurant manager Thien Nyuk Fun, 50, were snatched from the Ocean King Restaurant in Sandakan on May 14 by a Filipino kidnap-for-ransom group.

    They are being held by Abu Sayyaf sub-commander Indang Susukan who was demanding 30 million pesos (about RM2.8mil) for their freedom.

    Families of the two Malaysians have been receiving calls from the Abu Sayyaf group, threatening to carry out the beheading.

    However, the families have been unable to raise the money and were seeking help from the Prime Minister as well as chief ministers of Sabah and Sarawak to help inter­­vene and secure their freedom.

    According to the sources, the situation turned critical especially after two Canadians, a Norwegian and a Filipina were kidnapped from a Philippine resort in Samal Island on Sept 21.

    They are widely suspected to have been brought to Jolo island though no group had claimed responsibility so far.

    Filipino sources believed that they might be held by Abu Sayyaf commander Al Habsi Misaya and another sub-commander from the notorious Sawajan family that triggered intensified security ope­rations in Jolo island.

    Though they are from different groups, they are linked to each other. The operations are forcing all of them to be on the run, a source said, citing that Then was thus slowing them down.

    Philippine officials have yet to confirm the whereabouts of the Canadians and Norwegian but they have spotted an abandoned boat believed to have been used by the kidnappers along a village coast in Jolo.

    Unlike previous kidnap victims who were mostly hidden in jungle hideouts, sources said the two Malaysians were now being moved all the time to avoid capture by Philippine military or police.

     

    Source: www.thestar.com.my

  • Parents Of Malaysian Students In Singapore Considering Options Due To Higher Costs

    Parents Of Malaysian Students In Singapore Considering Options Due To Higher Costs

    JOHOR BARU – Thousands of parents whose children are schooling in Singapore will have to fork out more, not just because of the weakening ringgit, but also due to the increase in school fees beginning next year.

    Many of them are now scouting for local private or international schools as the school fees and transportation cost have now come up to almost RM2,000 per child per month.

    More than 10,000 children from Johor brave predawn and afternoon traffic jams at the Causeway to attend school in Singapore.

    They are picked up at designated areas around the city by about 4.30am to 5am so that they can make it in time for school which starts at 7.10am.

    Housewife V. Meena, 47, whose two children are studying in the island republic, said it would now cost her an additional S$120 (RM360) for both her children.

    “One of my sons is in primary and another in secondary school there,” she said, adding that her younger child’s new fees would be S$370 (RM1,110), S$20 (RM60) more while fees for her elder child would be S$550 (RM1,650), an increase of S$100 (RM300).

    Meena said she would have to look at other options such as putting them in local private or international schools.

    “Whatever I do, I need to think about them as surely they will miss their schoolmates whom they are close to,” she said.

    Lawyer L.M. Looi, 46, said he too was looking at other options for his son who is in Primary 5 in Singapore.

    “It is not just the increase in school fees next year, but the cost of transportation has also gone up to almost RM900 per month this year,” he said.

    Gregory Lui, 47, said that his son would be going to secondary school and the S$100 increase to S$550 per month would be a burden.

    “When my son started in Primary One, we were paying about S$125 per month. The fees seem to be always increasing,” he said.

    Lui is also considering Malaysian private or international schools in the state.

    Another parent who wanted to be known as Mrs Chang, 39, said she would have to bear with the increase as it was too late to take out her 11-year-old son.

    “My 13-year-old son, who was initially there, opted to come back to Malaysia as he was unable to cope with the stress of studying there. He is now studying in an international school here,” she said, adding that she pays about RM1,300 per month for his school fees.

    Singapore’s Ministry of Education in a statement on Tuesday announced that it would be revising the school fees for students who are Permanent Residents (PRs) and international students (IS) in government and government-aided schools from January 2016.

    The increase is part of its periodic review of school fees and to further differentiate fees by citizenship.

    Fees will increase by between S$20 (RM60)and S$60 (RM180) per month for PR students and by between S$20 and S$150 (RM450) per month for IS.

    School fees for Singapore citizens remain unchanged – it is free at primary level, S$5 (RM15) for secondary level and S$6 (RM18) for pre-university level.

     

    Source: http://news.asiaone.com