Singaporean Says He Prefers Working In M'sia Due To Better Work-Life Balance
Haiyumulqayum said that when it comes to quality of life, it is important not to compare the Malaysian ringgit and Singapore dollars.
By Aqasha Nalani — 07 Aug 2023, 03:09 PM
While many Malaysians have relocated to Singapore in search of better job opportunities, one Singaporean recently stated that he prefers working in Malaysia over the Lion City
In a TikTok video shared by user @hasanithnin, the Singaporean man, Haiyumulqayum Salim, said that when it comes to quality of life, it is important not to compare the Malaysian ringgit and Singapore dollars.
"In Singapore, the base salary is SGD1,500 (RM5,000), and in Malaysia, the base salary is also RM1,500. So, it's actually the same, and the only reason we think the pay is high is because we exchange the SGD1,500 for the local currency.
"When I say the pay is the same, it's because a Malaysian who works in Singapore still has to pay for food, MRT, and bus. And in Malaysia, I have a friend who also makes RM1,500, but what's different is how he lives his life," he said.
According to Haiyumulqayum, Malaysian employees experience a better work-life balance than Singaporeans
He used his Malaysian friend as an example once more, explaining that he gets to see his friends and family more frequently than his Singaporean peers.
"My Malaysian friend has a life and gets to see his family and children. He can watch his kids grow up and has time for friends. On the other hand, my Singaporean friend sometimes can't even see his kids for the whole week," he said.
In a recent conversation with SAYS, Haiyumulqayum shared that he has worked as a business marketing strategist for five years at a Malaysian company.
He also stated that he chose to work in the country in order to spend more time with his family, who are also here in Malaysia with him, and pursue his hobbies.
"Working in Malaysia gives better of peace of mind, as it is not as fast-paced as Singapore," he added.
At the time of writing, the video has garnered over 276,000 views, with many Malaysians expressing mixed feelings in the comments section
One user agreed with Haiyumulqayum and said that it is difficult to find time for leisure due to the tight schedule when working in Singapore.
"You leave for work at 4.30am and go home at 11pm. You barely have the time to shower, eat, and rest," they wrote.
"I agree. Work is important, but the joy of life is bigger," commented another user.
Meanwhile, one user disagreed with Haiyumulqayum, claiming that Malaysian workers live a different lifestyle than Singaporeans due to higher living costs in Malaysia.
"It's different, bro. Yes, you earn RM1,500 in Malaysia, but our goods are getting more expensive. In Singapore, you could earn SGD1,500, but their items are reasonably priced," they wrote.
In October, a Facebook post went viral for claiming that Malaysians with a college degree can earn up to SGD3,000 (RM10,000) per month as cleaners in Singapore:
