The same, the same, yet different after all

 

I was born in Ipoh, a city in northern Malaysia. After completing 12 years of compulsory education, I went to Singapore to continue my studies. I majored in graphic design for three years at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, then entered the workforce and built a 10-year career. I returned to Kuala Lumpur in 2002. After years of working and living in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur felt like a foreign country to me.
There are good things too. I can find many differences between the people of Singapore and Malaysia. This is despite the two countries being neighbors and historically having been one nation.

First, the food. The dishes considered delicious by both Chinese Malaysians and Singaporeans are quite similar. Yet people often argue about the origin of these dishes. Singaporeans claim chicken rice is uniquely theirs, while Malaysians insist prawn noodles originated in their country. I say, it doesn't matter. It's all about enjoying great food.

 

Next, cost of living. Singaporeans generally believe life is much cheaper in Malaysia. But in Kuala Lumpur, it's a completely different story. Food, public transport, cars, clothes, toiletries – I find everything more expensive than in Singapore. This is likely because Malaysians earn relatively less and the ringgit is weaker than the Singapore dollar.

Let's compare weekend activities. Malaysians enjoy driving to nearby areas. Singaporeans do too, but when you take a short drive to the suburbs... oh, you're already in Malaysia! The language difference is also interesting. In Singapore, English is typically used. Many Malaysians don't know the Singapore national anthem is in Malay. Most Singaporeans don't speak or understand Malay, yet they sing the anthem in Malay. Conversely, young Malaysians don't know that older Singaporeans can speak Malay.

Listing the differences between the two countries would make a long list. I love both countries and have many wonderful friends in both. Despite all these fascinating differences, I'm still amazed by the fact that they were the same country just 50 years ago.

(Illustration also by the author. Supervised by Dentsu Inc. Aegis Network Business Bureau)