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“Life in Singapore increasingly challenging,” said a Malaysian PR who considers returning home due to rising costs
Tay Tian Yan, the deputy executive editor-in-chief of Malaysia’s Sinchew Daily, recently shared a story about a young Malaysian permanent resident contemplating leaving Singapore and returning to Malaysia due to the rising cost of living in Singapore.
The increasing housing rental costs and living expenses in Singapore are making life difficult for non-residents. Tay suggests that if this trend continues, Malaysia’s brain drain issue may be alleviated.
Issues with the rising cost of living are not only faced by expats or permanent residents; most of the burden is also felt by local Singaporeans, who live in Singapore permanently, in their day-to-day lives.
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Voices of concern over the rising cost of housing rentals in Singapore’s private and public markets are not new, and reports suggest that this trend will continue to climb in 2023 due to inflation and surging demand.
Tay Tian Yan, the deputy executive editor-in-chief of Malaysia’s Sinchew Daily, recently shared a story about a young permanent resident who is considering leaving Singapore and returning to Malaysia.
In an opinion piece published on 3 May, Mr Tay mentioned a young person who works in Singapore but plans to return to Malaysia.
Mr Tay expressed his surprise and difficulty in understanding the young man’s decision because, a few years ago, the young man found a job in Malaysia that paid a basic salary of RM 3,500 (approximately 784 USD) plus overtime allowance, earning about RM 4,000 per month.
“Living in Kuala Lumpur, after deducting car expenses, rent, and basic expenses, he could barely get by.”
Typically, young Malaysians aspire to higher income and a better quality of life, and they might pursue working in Singapore and earning three times the income in Singapore dollars.
However, the young man now told Mr Tay that he went abroad because of economic problems and is preparing to return “because of economic problems as well.”
“Simply put, life in Singapore is getting increasingly difficult,” Mr Tay wrote.
Recent skyrocketing rental hike
For example, three years ago, the young man and his friends shared an apartment for a rental of S$2,500, which they could still afford when divided among several people.
But when they wanted to renew the lease last month, the landlord raised the rent to S$5,500, and the offer was given because “there are many people waiting in line.”
They could not afford the skyrocketing rent and had to look for another place, and they ultimately ended up renting small rooms in other places and staying with the landlord.
Cost of living
Mr Tay noted that living costs are also a concern for those working in Singapore.
For instance, having a full meal at a hawker centre nowadays could cost more than S$10, while in the past, it would only cost about S$3 to S$5.
Mr Tay acknowledged that this is not the fault of the hawker at all, as some hawkers have also reflected that their rental has risen from S$4,000 to S$6,000 to S$7,000.
In addition to the challenges facing workers, many Singaporean companies are struggling with the high cost of operating in the city-state.
As a result, some companies are shifting their focus to ASEAN countries outside Singapore, with Malaysia being the closest option.
He said a group of Malaysians holding permanent residency status in Singapore has responded to the call of “going back is better.” He believed that if this trend continues, Malaysia’s brain drain problem may be alleviated, and many people may choose to return to work and live in Malaysia.
Hence, he suggests that while Malaysia may be an attractive alternative to Singapore, the government must do more to capitalize on this opportunity, including attracting talent and investment, which will be critical to Malaysia’s economic growth and development in the years to come.
Young Singaporean fed-up with housing, want to vote for opposition in next GE
Issues with the rising cost of living are not only faced by expats or permanent residents; most of the burden is also felt by local Singaporeans, who live in Singapore permanently, in their day-to-day lives.
The housing prices have risen significantly in recent years, and the government had to implement several cooling measures in December 2021 and September 2022, to moderate demand in the property market.
In addition, the Singapore government announced an increase in Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD) rates, effective from 27 April, in an effort to prioritize housing for owner-occupation.
However, young single Singaporeans, who are largely shut out of the HDB housing programme, are becoming increasingly frustrated with the People’s Action Party (PAP) government.
According to a recent Bloomberg report, a survey last year showed that two in three Singaporeans between the ages of 22 to 29 are choosing to rent due to insufficient savings, as they are priced out of the market.
Meanwhile, rents for private flats and public housing surged about 32 per cent and 27 per cent, respectively, in March from a year earlier. Singapore has now surpassed New York with the world’s fastest pace of rental growth for high-end properties.
a 33-year-old tech worker reported to be a “lifelong supporter” of the ruling PAP, moved to Thailand after her landlord raised her rent by 70 per cent for a two-year lease.
She now plans to support the opposition in the next election, she told Bloomberg.
Belle, a Singaporean content creator renting a shared flat, would like to see a cap on rent increases. She, too is considering voting for an opposition party after previously supporting the PAP.
“We all know that Singapore is a very comfortable, reliable country to live in,” said Belle, 28, who didn’t want her last name to be used. “But it is just a little sad that it doesn’t seem like the government’s really changing its course and there are no safeguards to managing the rental increases.”
Meanwhile, a majority of residents think that the government hasn’t handled inflation well, according to a poll by Blackbox Research.
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Netizens see Mediacorp actor Shaun Chen’s move to JB as response to Singapore’s high living costs
In a recent interview, Mediacorp actor Shaun Chen, a Singapore PR, announced that he and his family have relocated to Johor Bahru, Malaysia. Netizens view his move as a practical response to Singapore’s rising cost of living and note a growing trend of ‘dual-country living’ among Singaporeans. Many are considering retirement in Malaysia or managing child-rearing expenses while maintaining ties to Singapore, reflecting broader concerns about healthcare and living costs.
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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.
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Netizens question NTU’s choice of timber for Gaia Building amid mould issues
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SINGAPORE: The Gaia building at Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University (NTU), which opened in May 2023 as Asia’s largest wooden structure, was initially celebrated for its sustainable design and architectural beauty.
However, just over a year later, the S$125 million (US$95.5 million) timber building is facing an unexpected challenge: mould growth.
The 450,000-square-foot Gaia building, constructed with sustainable timber beams and panels, has developed mould on its walls, raising concerns about the suitability of timber for large-scale construction in tropical climates like Singapore’s.
The mould issue highlights the global challenges that timber structures can face, especially in environments with high humidity.
According to Bloomberg, the mould problem at Gaia underscores the difficulties that timber buildings encounter worldwide.
The Gaia building’s timber supplier claims that the structure sequesters over 5,000 tons of CO2, even when accounting for shipping, as trees absorb carbon dioxide during growth.
However, Singapore’s tropical climate, with its high humidity and frequent rainfall, has revealed the limitations of using timber in such environments.
The wood used in Gaia, primarily Austrian spruce processed into mass-engineered timber, is less resistant to mould compared to other species.
In Singapore’s humid conditions, untreated spruce is particularly vulnerable to mould and rot, according to Andrew Wong of the International Wood Culture Society.
Erik L’Heureux, an associate professor of architecture at the National University of Singapore, emphasized that different climates present unique challenges for timber construction.
He noted that in tropical regions, special care is required to prevent issues like mould, while in other climates, such as deserts or freezing environments, timber faces other risks like cracking and splitting.
Singapore has used mass-engineered timber in over 20 projects in the past decade, but it remains unclear if other buildings are experiencing similar issues.
In contrast, Singapore’s colonial shophouses, built with regionally native hardwoods, are naturally resistant to mould.
However, sourcing these traditional hardwoods today is both difficult and costly.
Loh Kee Soon, the lead architect for Gaia at RSP Architects Planners & Engineers, explained that while thicker protective coatings could have mitigated some of the mould issues, his team opted against it due to cost concerns and a desire to showcase the natural wood grain.
Despite its aesthetic appeal, the presence of mould has raised health concerns among staff and students.
While the mould is not expected to affect the building’s structural integrity, NTU has implemented a comprehensive maintenance plan, which includes reapplying sealant to the timber, adjusting air-conditioning settings, and instructing staff to keep windows closed to reduce condensation.
Experts also recommend treating surfaces with bleach, applying thicker coatings, installing dehumidifiers, and running the air-conditioning continuously, although these measures could undermine the building’s sustainability.
Netizens question sustainability of NTU’s Gaia building amid mould concerns
Under Mothership’s Facebook post, netizens have expressed various concerns regarding the mould issue at Nanyang Technological University’s (NTU) Gaia building.
One user questioned whether continuing to use the building is worth it, given the upcoming maintenance and potential health risks to staff and students.
They suggested that if maintenance is not feasible, it might be better to endure a one-time inconvenience of demolition rather than face ongoing issues.
One commenter questioned the logic of using wood in Singapore’s hot and humid climate, suggesting that protective coatings should have been applied to prevent mould.
They pointed out that NTU should have had the resources to implement such measures.
Another netizen proposed that demolishing the building and replacing it with a concrete structure might be a better long-term solution than continually dealing with mould.
Netizens raise concerns over material choices for NTU’s Gaia building
Several netizens focused on the choice of wood for the building, criticizing the decision to use Austrian spruce instead of locally sourced tropical wood that is more resistant to humidity.
One commenter pointed out that using wood from Austria hardly seems sustainable or environmentally friendly when considering the carbon footprint.
Another suggested that the building should have used hardwoods like teak, ebony, or mahogany, which are more resistant to termites and mould.
Further criticism focused on the project’s planning, with some questioning why wood from a cool climate was used in Singapore’s tropical environment.
They speculated that the original committee might have prioritized reducing construction costs, leaving the current management to deal with the consequences.
One commenter expressed disbelief that the project proceeded with wood susceptible to mould, despite the availability of more suitable materials like teak and cedar.
They criticized the $125 million price tag, suggesting it reflects a “lowest cost wins” mentality that overlooks potential long-term costs.
One netizen also raised doubts about the building’s sustainability, questioning whether the cost of treating and preventing mould might become exorbitant over time and ultimately undermine the building’s sustainability claims.
The post Netizens question NTU’s choice of timber for Gaia Building amid mould issues appeared first on Gutzy Asia.
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