In a speech five years ago, the Minister of Housing and Local Government (KPKT), Nga Kor Ming, remarked: “Let Singaporeans come to work in Malaysia as foreign labour.”
Little did he know that the clip would circulate and transform into a sensational meme. Recently, Nga revisited his remark, stating that he was merely joking when he made those comments in Johor. The KPKT Minister added that the remarks were not malicious, but rather stemmed from a sense of patriotism.
“Malaysia and Singapore have always been a family”
During a recent event, Nga acknowledged the viral clip, jokingly noting that some have even unofficially changed his name to “Let Singaporeans come to work in Malaysia as foreign labour.”
Nga also pointed out that while some university students have been imitating his speech, he was not offended by it.
“When I looked at the videos, I found them hilarious,” he quipped.
Nga reiterated that both countries have always been “a family” and explained that the remarks were originally uttered because he was moved by the hardships faced by cross-border commuters in Johor Bahru.
He noted that he personally knows many people who wake up in the early hours to cross the border for work, only to return home late at night in a gruelling daily cycle.
“Malaysia is a land blessed with unique advantages and abundant resources. If there is a wise government to lead the people to live and work in peace, we don’t need to work in Singapore.”
“Instead, we should let Singaporeans come to work in Malaysia as foreign labour. Now, that was only a joke!” Nga highlighted.
He added that he is well aware of the content created from his speech and took the opportunity to highlight Malaysia’s recent economic achievements—specifically the strengthening of the Ringgit against both the Singapore Dollar (SGD) and the United States Dollar (USD).
What do you think of the KPKT Minister’s statement? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.
