20/08/2025

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Concern over citizenship switch

On measures to reduce flood risks, Fadillah, who also serves as Energy Transition and Water Transformation minister, said the ministry, through the the Irrigation and Drainage Department has implemented structural and non-structural strategies nationwide to improve drainage systems and infrastructure. He said structural solutions include upgrading infrastructure and drainage as well as implementing flood mitigation projects, river management, eco-friendly drainage, retention ponds, coastal erosion control, river rehabilitation and cleaning programmes. “Under the non-structural approach, the ministry has developed master plans and flood hazard maps. Fifty-four master plans have been completed this year, and five are being implemented,” he said. Fadillah noted the Environmentally Friendly Drainage Master Plan is being developed to identify issues related to drainage, water quality, and proposed upgrades, in addition to the Integrated River Basin Management studies nationwide to ensure river sustainability. – Bernama 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

o Experts say to stem outflow, govt must expand opportunities as migration move reflects Malaysians’ pursuit of better prospects in Singapore, rather than rejection of identity

Ű BY KIRTINEE RAMESH newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Revenue Board (IRB) Act 1995 to appoint representatives from the Sabah and Sarawak state governments as permanent members of the IRB, as well as amendments to the Sabah Labour Ordinance and the Sarawak Labour Ordinance,” he said during the winding-up debate on the 13th Malaysia Plan in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday. Fadillah said the implementation action council, chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, was established to review the demands submitted by the Sabah and Sarawak state governments based on the legal framework and implementation of the agreed-upon claims. “The Madani government is fully committed to expediting the resolution of all MA63 demands. However, the timeframe for resolving each demand is subject to the relevant legal processes. “The readiness of the Sabah and Sarawak state governments in terms of operations, human resources and finances must also be considered before a claim under the MA63 can be resolved,” he added. 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

KUALA LUMPUR: Sixteen out of the 29 demands under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) are still under review by the Technical Committee of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 Implementation Action Council. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said the demands involve issues related to education, healthcare, oil royalties, petroleum cash payments, oil minerals and fields, the Territorial Sea Act 2012 (Act 750), as well as state rights over the continental shelf. Fadillah said 13 claims have been resolved, nine under the Madani government and four during the previous administration. “Among the claims resolved under the Madani government’s administration are the recognition of the Public Works Department and the Irrigation and Drainage Department in Sabah and Sarawak as technical departments under Treasury Instruction 182, as well as the transfer of the Electricity Regulatory Authority to the Sabah state government. “(The resolved demands) also include the amendment to the Inland 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

Velan said Singapore’s prosperity and political stability strongly appeal to Malaysians seeking security and opportunity. – PIC COURTESY OF CHEF SHIRRANJIVI KANNAN

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.

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

16 out of 29 Malaysia Agreement demands still under review: Fadillah

Kelantan set to become major onion producer, says minister

KUALA LUMPUR: The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry is optimistic that Kelantan has the potential to become a major producer of onions next year. Its minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said the state’s soil was deemed suitable for onion cultivation and initial trials showed promising results. He said the ministry had approved an allocation of RM6 million for the Onion Cultivation Development Project in three states – Selangor, Perak and Kelantan – involving 80 participants with an area of 94.85ha, which includes 11 farmers (40ha) in Selangor, 52 farmers (26.85ha) in Kelantan and 17 farmers (28ha) in Perak. Recently, Kelantan carried out its first harvest with an expected production yield of 18.4 tonnes from an area of 4.6ha at the Telong Food Production Park in Bachok, which used the BAW-1 and BAW-2 varieties. “This harvest result shows a positive achievement as it recorded high production of about four tonnes per hectare,” he said when winding up the debate on the

motion on the 13th Malaysia Plan for the ministry in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday. Regarding production costs, Mohamad said a comprehensive study has not yet been conducted to determine the actual cost comparison between local and imported onions. “Regarding production costs, we still don’t have precise figures. Some use the greenhouse method, which is quite expensive. Overall, the government has yet to finalise the production cost for one tonne of local onions. “The cost also varies depending on whether it is grown outdoors or in a greenhouse. However, we see that the price gap with imported onions is not too wide,” he said. He added that although there are no official figures yet, the government expects local onion production to reduce dependence on onion imports by up to 30%. “This year we are focusing on seed production and next year it will be distributed. “If everything goes smoothly, we can save one-third, or 30% of onion imports,” he said. – Bernama