All the way from the north to the south, either you are from east or from the west Malaysia, there are always three Nations in ASEAN consist of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam that we should admit that they always collectively sharing the histories, cultures, heritages, and foods as well.
On top of that, they still have strong family ties at the same. Maybe this is the big reasons why they look similar but actually they are not.
Since we are small, either you are Malaysian, Singaporean or Bruneian, we always heard about our neighborhood countries from time to time. Isn’t it?
Let’s take the example when we are at Primary School we learnt about the formation of Federation of Malaysia that consists of Federation of Malaya and another three new states and they are Sarawak, Sabah and Singapore on 16th September 1963. (2 Years later Singapore then become new independence country from Malaysia)
We also learnt that how Sultan of Brunei, Sultan Omar Ali Saifudeen refused to join the club and prefer to wait more time to get independence from British on 1st January 1984. (19 years after Malaysia was formed).
Introduction
Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam are the three countries that share too many stories. In fact the family ties between the peoples in these three countries are still very strong until today the moment you are reading this article.
To make it short and relax, let’s us admit that each countries can communicate among them using the standard Bahasa Melayu.
Not only can communicate among them using one language but it is more then that actually. Well we will explore and provide the unique info about these three different countries in one short and relax article. Maybe if required, the another part II will be published after this.
Mode of governemt
Malaysia
Malaysia is a federation country that consists of 13 states in Malaysia. Among 13 states, there are only 9 states do have the Sultans or Kings, and another three states are rules by Tuan Yang Terutama (Sultan/King representative)
Malaysia embraced Parliamentary Constitutional Monarchy since independence in year 1957. Among 9 Sultans in 9 states in Malaysia there are only one King of Malaysia namely Yang DiPertuan Agong (YDPA) should be appointed by Majlis Raja-Raja Melayu (Conference of Rulers) and should be rotate every 5 years.
The King or the Yang DiPertuan Agong is the Head of the country but then the country itself rules by the Prime Minister that elected during General Election that happen every 5 years. The Prime Minister will be hold position as the Head of Government of Malaysia.
His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim of Johor currently has been installed as the new 17th King (Yang DiPertuan Agong) of Malaysia in 2024.
Singapore
Singapore is a small city country. Nothing much we can say. Back then, Singapore used to be one of 14 states in Malaysia. After two years of formation of Malaysia, Singapore then gained independence from Malaysia on 9th August 1965 and establish herself as a new country in ASEAN.
Singapore embraced Parliamentary Representative Democratic Republic in which the president of Singapore is the Head of Country. Meanwhile the Prime Minister of Singapore is the Head of Government. The President of Singapore that being elected by the citizen of Singapore holds the office for a term of 6 years.
Brunei Darussalam
Here we come, our little brother in the family, The Brunei Darussalam, the country accepted the absolute monarch government since very long time ago, before the Portuguese or even before the British colonization in ASEAN.
In fact, Brunei Darussalam Monarch mode of government is one of the oldest and longest reigning in the world!
The Sultan or Yang Dipertuan Negara Brunei act as the Head of Country as well as The Head of the government. Everything in this country is under controlled by their Sultan.
One of the special things about Brunei is they can easily enter Singapore and buy groceries or any in goods in Singapore without convert their Bruneian Dollar to SGD! No, it isnot requiired to change their money to SGD.
Not many peoples know that Brunei and Singapore share the currency value until today. Hence the conversion should always become ratio 1:1.
And this also applied to the Singaporean when they enter Brunei Darussalam. To be honest, Singaporean rather visit Johor Bahru or Batam Indonesia to buy groceries and spending more money in Batam Indonesia for foods and holiday if compare to Brunei. Maybe one of the reason is that Brunei is not a tourism country like Malaysia and Indonesia.
Stories of Three Nations in ASEAN
The Currency
Stories of Three Nations in ASEAN – Did you know that, before 1973, Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei have the exact currency value? Yes is it! The three currencies used in these three nations have the same exact value. This is the fact that not many peoples know.
Currency Interchangeability Agreement (CIA) 1967
According to the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), the agreement was made on 12 June 1967 between these three countries who after independence. In this agreement, they issued their own currencies that share the the same value to each other
Malaysia Currency = Malaysian Dollar
Singapore Currency = Singapore Dollar
Brunei Currency = Brunei Dollar
In 1973, Malaysia finally decided to pull out herself from CIA. The reasons behind this might be many, but one of them is to believe that during 1970s, Malaysia struggle to develop their country to become a modern agriculture country.
Let’s take one example, those time Malaysia was the biggest Palm Oil producer and at the same time, our neighbour Indonesia and Thailand also preparing the same thing like what Malaysia is doing.
There was a big issue when the Malaysian Ringgit (M$1) too high, or same with Singapore and Brunei. Logically the whole world would rather buy the palm oils from Indonesia and Thailand due to the currency.
The results will be bad for Malaysia and the worst thing the new economy project become the biggest mistake for them.
By reduce the currency, Malaysia can control the cashflow. The whole world now would consider to buy the commodity such as crude oil, palm oil, rubber, fruits, and so on from Malaysia due to the currency has been reduced by pulling out herself from CIA Agreement in 1973.
Until today, Singapore become top 3 economic catalyst for Malaysia. By reducing the value of currency, Singapore also can survive and become the first class country as it is today.
Everything from fresh water, rice, eggs, chickens, fishes, fruits, even toilet papers are imported from Malaysia. The distance was not too far hence they can save more money and focus to develop the peoples and the country. Meanwhile Malaysia still have benefits by exporting the commodities to the first world country like Singapore, Japan, USA, Hong Kong and UK.
Demography
Brunei
Almost 75% of populations in Brunei are Malay (Including Indigenous) and 15% are Chinese. While the rest are expatriates. In total almost 90% populations in Brunei are Muslim
Malaysia
Almost 63% of populations in Malaysia are Malay (Including Indigenous) and 21% are Chinese, 6% Indian and the rest are non citizens or expatriates who living or working in Malaysia
Singapore
Almost 76% populations in Singapore are Chinese and 16% are Malays. Indian make up another 8% populations in Singapore. While the rest are non citizens or holding Permanent Resident status and expatriates working in Singapore.
National Language
Brunei
The national language of Brunei Darussalam is Malay Language, while English become the another language and widely use as a business language in the country. It is not a weird thing when Malay Language become the National Language of Brunei since the long time ago, where there are no modern countries like today, almost all the Kingdoms or Sultans of each Kingdoms mainly located in The Malay Archipelago (as per expedition of Alfred Russel) communicate each other using Malay Language.
In fact in Brunei, the daily language spoken is Kedayan Language. Almost 75% different from the standard Malay Language that being use as the National Language of Brunei. Well, the facts cannot lie.
Malaysia
The national language of Malaysia is Malay Language, while English not a second language but another language for business and administration purposes either in government or in private sector. As a unique and diverse country, in Malaysia there are only 3 states where the standard Malay language is being use, mainly in Selangor-Kuala Lumpur, Johor, Melaka and Southern part of Perak. Other than that, they daily language spoken is another Malay language but un different dialect like Kelantan, Terangganu, Pahang, Perlis, Kedah, including Sabah and Sarawak.
Singapore
Since born as a new small country in 1965, Singapore never change it National Language. Standard Malay language still become the National Language of Singapore while English is widely spoken in daily life either in administration or in private sector. Bu as overall, English is the main language in Singapore even though the National Language of Singapore is Malay Language.
Meanwhile, Mandarin language was spoken widely among the Chinese and Tamil widely spoken among the Indians. but still they need to memorize their national anthem in Malay Language! Funny is it? Well, this is the fact we learn by reading his article in Kongsi Lah! website.
National Anthem
Brunei
Allah Perliharakan Sultan in Malay. In English, preferable “God Save the Sultan” The anthem was wrote in standard Malay Language.
Malaysia
Negaraku in Malay. In English, it means “My Country”. The anthem actually origin from the anthem of Perak Darul Ridzuan, one of 13 states in Malaysia. Later become the national anthem of new federation country named Malaysia.
Singapore
Majulah Singapura is the National Anthem of the Republic Singapore. It means “Onwards Singapore”. Even though we knew that the majority peoples in Singapore speak English with Singaporean way (Singaporean English or SingLish), but the National Anthem of Republic Singapore remain the unchanged upon pulled out from Federation of Malaysia in 1965.
Have you gain something new here? Please drop your comment below and share your thoughts. You may correct us if any facts we shared here was a mistake or need to improve. Kogsi Lah!
Also read: Mount Bromo, a Treasure In South East Asia!
