A Malaysian influencer’s explanation of why so many Singaporeans marry Malaysians has seen netizens responding with far more colourful theories.
Entrepreneur Timothy Tiah, who posts under the handle @timtiah about issues such as finance and government policies, cited research from the National University of Singapore that showed one in three marriages in the Republic are transnational, with Malaysians forming the bulk of foreign-born spouses.
He reckoned that this is simply down to the many Malaysians living or working in Singapore – some 952,000 as of 2019.
But netizens preferred their own theories. “Malaysian Chinese girls are way more beautiful, sweet, feminine and know how to take care of their looks,” said a commenter.
He added: “Every time I approach a pretty girl, I find out that shes [sic] a Malaysian. I don’t mind going to KL to find a wife. KL Chinese girls are smart, educated and very wife material.
Mr Tiah’s TikTok video, with the opening subtitle “Why so many Singaporeans end up marrying Malaysians” was shared on Dec 11.
It has since garnered over 56,300 views, 1,361 reactions and 98 comments. The video was also shared on Mr Tiah’s Instagram account where it has so far gained some 3,868 reactions and 155 comments.
Mr Tiah has some 140,000 Instagram followers and 33,000 TikTok followers, and his posts have even attracted the attention of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
One netizen had their own theory about the phenomenon: “Singapire [sic] women are snatched up by more able man [sic].
Another claimed that Singaporean women are “reserved” for Caucasian men, while Singaporean men prefer Malaysian, Chinese, and Viet women,
Some offered practical reasons such as similarities in culture, with one claiming that only Malaysian women will stay with their man come “rain or shine”.
“Singapore and Malaysia have been family and friends for longer than both Singapore and Malaysia have existed. Every Singaporean has a Malaysian family member,” said another.
One Singaporean commenter on Instagram had clearly found true transnational love. “My Malaysian fiancé is the kindest, sweetest, most loving and caring soul, and I can’t wait to marry him.”
