Why are so many Malaysians from Penang settling in Hong Kong?
- It’s not just money, money, money. Malaysians – particularly from Penang – are drawn to Hong Kong for its cosmopolitan attitudes, shared colonial past and equality of opportunity
- Still, it’s not all sweetness and light: pollution and overcrowding send many in the opposite direction when it’s time to retire
Unable to afford a flight, Cheah – 20 at the time – travelled to Hong Kong on a cargo ship. These days he is the proud owner of a BMW with a special licence plate that reads “Penang”. He is also the founder of one of Asia’s largest independent asset management firms, Value Partners.
Like Cheah, many Penangites have left in search of greener pastures as part of a nationwide trend that has seen an estimated 1 million Malaysians living and working abroad. The diaspora has increased rapidly since the 1980s and continues to rise, according to the World Bank’s Malaysia Economic Monitor.
About 15,000 Malaysians now live in Hong Kong, according to the Consulate-General. Though the Consulate does not record what state they come from, Penangites are widely thought to be the largest group in the city.
“Better career opportunities, higher income and quality of life are decisive factors influencing Malaysians who leave,” said Hwok-Aun Lee, a Senior Fellow with the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore who studies labour and social policy in Malaysia.