Quora Answer: Given a Choice, Would Singapore Malays Move to Malaysia & the Malaysian Chinese Move to Singapore?

The following is my answer to a Quora question: “Given a choice, would Singaporean Malays move to Malaysia, and the Malaysian Chinese move to Singapore?”

Singaporeans and Malaysians have freedom of movement.  There is no choice to give, since they have always had it.  There is no exodus of Malaysian Chinese to Singapore, and Singapore Malays to Malaysia, because for all their perceived or real inadequacies and faults, these countries are home to them.

Singapore and Malaysia may have a common origin, and been one nation, but the inherent cultures and social norms are very different.  It is not as easy to adjust for everybody, and people want their comfort zone.  Malaysians come to Singapore to work.  The majority of them retire back to Malaysia, where the cost of living is lower.  Some Singaporeans do that as well, but most cannot adjust well.  When Malaysians do migrate, far more go to Australia and elsewhere.  The same with Singaporeans.

You are also assuming that both countries have an open immigration policy.  You have to qualify to become a citizen, or get a long-term visit pass.  The people who want to move, have already moved either way.  And those who can, will continue to move either way.