Singaporeans earn more than expats, so why Malaysia cannot implement the same thing?

HOW does one feel patriotic towards one’s country? Is it quality education?

Or perhaps for one netizen, it is by having a higher salary compared to the expats that come over to your country to work.

Netizen Najib Halim in a post on Facebook apparently hit a raw nerve with his comment, “ Singaporeans earn higher wages than foreigners in Singapore.

This is the correct approach. If the wages of foreigners are on par with those of local workers, as is the case in Malaysia, then the value of our citizenship is not seen.”

The claim has drawn attention to a longstanding concern among Malaysians, particularly when some expatriates appear to command higher salaries and better employment packages.

The post has since drawn a good number of comments from netizens and the feedback is interesting, to say the least.

According to Ahmad Shukri Adnan MohdSalleh , the approach by Singapore was also adopted in Nigeria, where the salary of a professional local worker is higher than an expat.

One commenter, Ajman Latif , blamed private-sector employers for the situation, arguing that the preference for cheaper foreign labour had contributed to the problem since the 1990s.

Faiz Muhamad pointed out that these expats should have a salary just enough for them to survive here and to send back to their wife and children.

However, he claimed that these expats are buying up bungalows and businesses while locals who work for 10 years cannot even get their loans approved for a low cost house.

However, Nadge Ariffin believes the Singaporeans deserve a higher salary since they work harder than the expats unlike our Malaysian counterparts.

Check out this word play from Kinchang Jatan too:

Ultimately, the debate raises a question that goes beyond salaries: what does citizenship mean if ordinary Malaysians feel they are falling behind despite years of hard work?

While foreign workers and expatriates play an important role in the economy, the government and private sector must ensure that Malaysians have access to fair wages, better career prospects and a realistic path towards financial security.

Patriotism cannot simply be demanded from citizens. It must also be nurtured through policies and opportunities that give them confidence that their hard work will pay off in their own country. —Oct 16, 2026

Main image: International Citizens Insurance

The post Singaporeans earn more than expats, so why Malaysia cannot implement the same thing? first appeared on Focus Malaysia .