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The Sun
a day ago
- Business
- The Sun
Concern over citizenship switch
PETALING JAYA: Thousands of Malaysians are relinquishing their citizenship for Singapore, a trend that has surged in recent years, highlighting concerns over economic prospects, political stability and long-term security at home. Monash University Malaysia adjunct senior research fellow Dr Koh Sin Yee said such decisions are rarely impulsive, reflecting careful long-term planning. 'The sharp jump in 2023 and 2024 could be linked to circumstances in 2022 and 2023 or even earlier. 'These may be personal, family-related or tied to perceptions of economic and political uncertainty,' she said. Koh cautioned against oversimplifying migration into 'push' and 'pull' factors. 'One person's 'push' factor could be another's 'pull.' Choosing where to hedge one's future doesn't necessarily mean a loss of belonging to Malaysia,' she added. Institute of Southeast Asian Studies–Yusof Ishak Institute senior fellow Dr Lee Hwok Aun highlighted Singapore's proximity and cultural familiarity, particularly for ethnic Chinese Malaysians. 'In recent years, jobs in technology, finance and other industries have made Singapore even more attractive, sometimes more than destinations like Australia,' he said. To stem the outflow, Malaysia must expand domestic opportunities, strengthen fairness and ensure stability with quality jobs and improved quality of life. Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia sociologist Dr Velan Kunjuraman said Singapore's prosperity and political stability strongly appeal to Malaysians seeking security and opportunity. 'The two nations share deep historical roots, but Singapore's high GDP, efficient governance and accessibility offer clear advantages. 'For many, commuting daily from Johor Bahru makes the move even more practical,' he said. He added that these decisions often reflect Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs, where long-term welfare and security outweigh patriotic attachment. 'It's usually about career prospects, family well-being or education rather than a rejection of Malaysian identity. Globally, people are re-evaluating national belonging through a more pragmatic lens,' he said. Generational differences also influence decisions, he added. Younger Malaysians tend to see mobility as a pathway to advancement while older individuals may view Singapore as a 'safe upgrade' – familiar yet economically superior. Universiti Teknologi Malaysia industrial and organisational psychologist professor Dr Siti Aisyah Panatik said citizenship renunciation is seldom impulsive, involving careful evaluation of identity, belonging and security. 'Singapore's governance, healthcare and job opportunities often outweigh the emotional cost of giving up Malaysian identity.' She said cultural and linguistic similarities between the two societies reduce the psychological burden of migration. 'Many see the move not as rupture but as continuity – a way to maintain identity while accessing better opportunities,' she said. Citing Social Identity Theory, she observed that people increasingly define belonging not just by birthplace but by communities and institutions that support their aspirations. For Millennials and Gen Z, citizenship is a flexible tool for mobility, while older Malaysians are drawn by stability and better social protections. Siti Aisyah cautioned against framing the trend as disloyalty. 'This reflects a human pursuit of stability, security and growth. Citizenship today is less about heritage and more about where one can thrive and build a future,' she said. She stressed that Malaysia must address the root causes driving people away. 'If we close gaps in governance, fairness and opportunities, more Malaysians will see reasons to stay and contribute. 'The goal is not just to retain citizens but to create an environment where they genuinely want to belong,' she added. Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail recently revealed that 6,060 Malaysians had renounced their citizenship as of June 30 this year. This follows a record 16,930 cases in 2024, up from 11,500 in 2023. By comparison, 2022 recorded 5,623 cases, while 2019 saw 13,362 before the pandemic temporarily slowed the trend.
Malaysiakini
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Malaysiakini
KS Nathan: Scholar, colleague, voice for the marginalised
COMMENT | I am deeply saddened by the passing of Professor KS Nathan, fondly known to many as Soosay, on May 28, 2025, at the age of 79. His demise marks a significant loss to the Malaysian academic community and the Indian community in the country. Soosay was a long-serving academic at Universiti Malaya (UM), where he made his mark in the field of international relations. Following his retirement, he continued his scholarly pursuits as a senior research fellow at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies (Iseas), Singapore.
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
China's Xi says there are ‘no winners' in tariff war as he visits Southeast Asia
China's leader, Xi Jinping, started a week of diplomacy in Southeast Asia with a visit to Vietnam. Monday's move signalled China's commitment to global trade just after US President Donald Trump upended the global economy with his latest tariff moves. Although Mr Trump has paused some tariffs, China was the outlier, as the US leader has kept in place 145% tariffs on the world's second-largest economy. Mr Xi's visit this week lets China show Southeast Asia it is a 'responsible superpower in the way that contrasts with the way the US under president Donald Trump presents to the whole world,' said Nguyen Khac Giang, a visiting fellow at Singapore's Institute of Southeast Asian Studies (Iseas)–Yusof Ishak Institute. China can also work to shore up its alliances and find solutions for the high trade barrier that the US has on Chinese exports. 'There are no winners in a trade war, or a tariff war,' Mr Xi wrote in an editorial jointly published in Vietnamese and Chinese official media. 'Our two countries should resolutely safeguard the multilateral trading system, stable global industrial and supply chains, and open and co-operative international environment.' While Mr Xi's trip likely was planned earlier, it has become significant because of the tariff fight between China and the US, the world's two largest economies. In Vietnam, Mr Xi will meet with Vietnam's Communist Party general secretary To Lam, as well as the prime minister Pham Minh Chinh. This is his third visit and comes just a year after he last visited in December 2023. The timing of the visit sends a 'strong political message that Southeast Asia is important to China,' said International Crisis Group Asia Deputy Director Huong Le-Thu. She said that given the severity of Mr Trump's tariffs and despite the 90-day pause, Southeast Asian nations were anxious that the tariffs, if implemented, could complicate their development. 'Xi's trip is to showcase how China is the opposite to the coercive and self-interested US. There will be a lot of expectations about what type of leadership and initiatives China is going to come up with at this time of crisis,' she said. Vietnam is experienced at balancing its relations with the US and China. It is run under a communist, one-party system like China, but has had a strong relationship with the US. In 2023, it was the only country that received both former president Joe Biden and China's leader. That year, it also upgraded the US to its highest diplomatic level, the same as China and Russia. Vietnam was one of the biggest beneficiaries of countries trying to decouple their supply chains from China, as businesses moved here. China is its biggest trading partner, and China-Vietnam trade surged 14.6% year-on-year in 2024, according to Chinese state media. But the intensification of the trade war has put Vietnam in a 'very precarious situation', given the impression in the US that Vietnam is serving as a backdoor for Chinese goods, said Mr Giang, analyst at Singapore's Iseas–Yusof Ishak Institute. Vietnam had been hit with 46% tariffs under Mr Trump's order before the 90-day pause. China and Vietnam have real, long-term differences. They have disputes over territory in the South China Sea, and Vietnam has faced off with China's coast guard but does not often publicise the confrontations.
The Independent
08-04-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
American lecturer arrested in Thailand and accused of insulting the monarchy in months-old online post
An American academic has been arrested in Thailand and charged with insulting the monarchy under the country's strict treason laws. Paul Chambers, a prominent lecturer at Thailand's Naresuan University, turned himself in to police in the northern province of Phitsanulok on Tuesday, after a warrant for his arrest was issued last week. The warrant followed a complaint filed by the army, which accused Chambers of violating Section 112 of Thailand's penal code, in a written introduction to an article in October 2024. That law states that anyone found guilty of defaming, insulting or threatening the king, queen, heir apparent or regent shall be punished with imprisonment of three to 15 years. According to Akarachai Chaimaneekarakate, advocacy lead for the Thai Lawyers for Human Rights Centre and part of Chambers' legal team, Chambers has been accused of publishing a blurb on Singapore's Institute of Southeast Asian Studies website in connection with an webinar in October 2024 about military changes. 'He denied all charges. He neither wrote nor published the blurb on the website,' the advocate said. Alongside lese majeste, the crime of insulting a monarch or other ruler, Chambers is also facing charges under Thailand's Computer Crimes Act. On Tuesday, the center said that Chambers had been denied bail twice, forcing him to be put behind bars immediately, but that his lawyers were appealing. Chambers holds a PhD in political science from Northern Illinois University, and is well-known in academic circles as a commentator on civil-military relations and democracy in Asia, with a special focus on Thailand. He has lived in Thailand since 1993. Many of his articles appear on the center's website. Thai royalists consider the monarchy sacrosanct, and public discussion of the law has for decades been a taboo issue, with dozens of people jailed for perceived insults of the crown. Student-led, anti-government protests in 2020 called for the abolition of the law, but resulted in 279 people being charged with lese-majeste in the years since. Foreigners are rarely prosecuted, however. According to Reuters, the U.S. State Department said it was aware and concerned about the arrest of an American citizen. "We regularly urge Thai authorities, both privately and publicly, to protect freedom of expression in accordance with Thailand's international obligations," a spokesperson said.
