A Malaysian minister recently reposted a video from 2022 in which he suggested a stronger Malaysian economy could reverse the flow of workers across the Causeway, potentially leading Singaporeans to seek employment in Malaysia.
Minister’s Remarks
Nga Kor Ming, currently the Minister of Housing and Local Government, made the original remarks in October 2022 while serving as the national vice-chairman of the Democratic Action Party (DAP). He was speaking at a fundraising dinner ahead of Malaysia’s 15th General Election. According to a report by Malaysiakini, Mr. Nga lamented the early morning commutes faced by Malaysians traveling to Singapore for work.
In the video, which was reposted on January 28th, Mr. Nga stated, “Ask Singaporeans to come to Malaysia to be foreign workers, not Malaysians going to Singapore to work!” The clip features imagery of traffic congestion and long queues at the Causeway.
Economic Context
The reposting of the video coincided with a strengthening of the Malaysian ringgit. On January 26th, The Straits Times reported the ringgit had reached RM3.9678 per US dollar, its strongest point since May 2018. Screenshots included in the reposted video showed the ringgit at RM3.11 against the Singapore dollar and RM3.92 against the US dollar.
Mr. Nga’s original speech, delivered in Chinese, questioned the hardships faced by Johor residents commuting to Singapore for work, asking, “Do you think the lives of Johor residents are not hard enough? Do your fellow brothers and sisters want to lead this kind of life?”
Public Reaction
Online reactions from those identifying as Malaysian citizens were mixed. Some expressed hope that a stronger ringgit would lead to greater economic opportunities within Malaysia, with one commenter stating, “Seeing the recent strong performance of the ringgit, I sincerely hope this isn’t just temporary, but a sign of the nation’s growing strength.” Others emphasized the financial responsibilities driving their decisions to work in Singapore, noting, “Every Singapore dollar earned…translates into responsibility for one’s family.” Some commenters criticized Mr. Nga’s focus on Singapore, suggesting he should prioritize improvements within Malaysia.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Nga Kor Ming?
Nga Kor Ming is the current Minister of Housing and Local Government in Malaysia. He was previously the national vice-chairman of the Democratic Action Party (DAP).
When were the original remarks made?
The original remarks were made in October 2022 during a fundraising dinner ahead of Malaysia’s 15th General Election.
What was the exchange rate at the time of the video’s original release?
The video included screenshots showing the ringgit at RM3.11 against the Singapore dollar and RM3.92 against the US dollar.
How might a sustained strengthening of the ringgit impact cross-border employment patterns in the future?
