Telling the Singapore story for 180 years
From the smell of the freshly printed morning newspaper, to the notification ping from a cellphone signalling the arrival of the evening newsletter summing up the day's key news stories, The Straits Times has become part of Singaporeans' daily life since its very first edition landed on July 15, 1845, as an eight-page weekly.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
6 days ago
- Straits Times
ST Headstart: Matcha making and mindful living
Welcome to the latest edition of ST Headstart, bringing you the best of The Straits Times' career, personal finance and lifestyle coverage every Tuesday noon. Sign up here to get weekly tips right into your inbox. Hello again. The hot leaf juice known as matcha is one of the core pillars of millennial civilisation, and I'm only half joking. In the latest Young and Savvy column, my colleague Sharon Salim relates her effort in brewing the tea to the world we live in now. It's a soul-nourishing read for these unsettling times. On the career front, if you struggle with putting off tasks you need to complete, the latest Headstart On Record podcast might help. In it, I speak to a researcher who studies how people work. She lays out the psychological quirks we bring to work, especially why we procrastinate and how to tackle it. A young prison visit centre officer also takes us through the ups and downs of her job in the second instalment of our new series On The Job. These officers hold a sense of quiet purpose in themselves as they make each visit meaningful within prison rules. Scroll on for more stories chosen just for you and have a great day ahead!
Independent Singapore
6 days ago
- Independent Singapore
From SG HDBs to JB condos: More Singaporeans are now ‘working smart' from across the Causeway by earning SGD income, but living RM lifestyle
SINGAPORE: These days, a growing number of Singaporeans are ditching their HDB leases and office cubicles to do something a little more radical—live in Johor Bahru (JB) while working remotely for a company in Singapore (SG). It's the age of the borderline digital nomad—where your office view might be a private condo pool in JB, but your paycheck is still in glorious SG dollars. MoneySmart's Kesavan Loganathan explores whether this dream lifestyle is truly possible, or if it's just a Wi-Fi-buffered fantasy. So here's the scoop from what we got from him. 💸 SGD income + RM lifestyle = Financial flex For many Singaporeans, the JB digital nomad lifestyle feels like a cheat code to adulthood. 'Living in JB while drawing a Singapore paycheck sounds like the ultimate life hack,' Kesavan writes. From groceries to rent, the cost of living in Malaysia is significantly lower—up to 50% in some cases. Renting a condo with a pool in JB is around S$500+. A similar setup in Singapore could cost three to four times more. Factor in a favourable exchange rate (S$1 ≈ RM3.31), and suddenly, you're not just saving—you're upgrading. Think café brunches without guilt, private parking, and yes, maybe even a second car. 💻 COVID-19: The WFH (work from home) revolution opened the border (virtually) Before the pandemic, working remotely from JB might have been unthinkable. Now? It's surprisingly common. A survey of 1000 Singapore workers interviewed found 77% of them value flexible WFH options—and some even reject jobs without it. Employers, faced with a workforce increasingly fluent in Zoom, Slack, and quiet quitting, are adapting. JB's internet infrastructure has stepped up, too, with 5G coverage expanding across the city. 'Video calls and online work run smoothly on Malaysian broadband,' Kesavan noted. Plus, co-working cafés are on the rise, just in case your condo Wi-Fi throws a tantrum mid-meeting. 🚗 The commute: Manageable, if you play it smart Living in JB doesn't mean never seeing the Lion City again. Some remote workers cross the Causeway once or twice a month to attend meetings or catch up with colleagues. 'Off-peak, a car or bus ride across the Causeway can indeed take under an hour—quicker than some intra-island commutes in Singapore!' Kesavan points out. Of course, peak-hour crossings are a different story (2+ hours in jammed immigration lines). That's why smart nomads travel off-peak—or wait until 2026, when the RTS Link train is expected to zip commuters from JB to Woodlands in just 5 minutes. Until then, early birds and night owls win the border-crossing game. 🏠 Space, sanity, and second cars: JB living is pretty chill Let's talk lifestyle. A studio apartment in JB might cost around RM1,500 (S$400), and a 3-bedroom condo could be found for under S$800. For Singaporeans used to cramming into HDB flats, it's a spatial awakening. As Kesavan notes, 'Daily conveniences in JB are a mixed bag of pleasant surprises and slight adjustments.' You'll still get your bubble tea, food chains, and shopping sprees at Mid Valley Southkey—while also enjoying the kampung calm, night markets, and maybe a garden in your yard. English is widely understood. Grab drivers/riders are everywhere, and if you miss your team lunches, there are co-working spaces with free-flow coffee and surprisingly productive vibes. 📄 The (not-so-hot) fine print: Visas, taxes & employer rules Here's where dreams meet documentation. Yes, Singaporeans can enter Malaysia visa-free for 30 days. But if you're planning to actually live there, don't pull a monthly 'in-and-out' visa run unless you like awkward conversations with immigration officers. Here's your legal options: MM2H (Malaysia My Second Home): A long-term visa (renewable 5-10 year pass) for those with strong financials. Great for families, but requirements can be steep. DE Rantau (Digital Nomad Pass): Tailor-made for remote workers. It allows you to stay up to a year (with the possibility of extension) with proof of income—and you can even bring your spouse and kids. Bonus: If you stay in JB for over 182 days, you're considered a tax resident. But don't worry—foreign income (like your SGD salary) may be exempt from Malaysian taxes, especially if you don't remit it formally. Still, consult a tax pro. No one wants a nasty surprise in April. Just as crucial: Tell your boss. Some employers are cool with remote work from across the border. Others might raise eyebrows (or compliance concerns). In this case, it is the best policy and it's the most legally sound. ⚠️ The not-so-glam bits: Downsides you should know Before you run off to pack your bags and rent a JB condo, take note: Commuting can be a nightmare if done daily during peak hours. Border controls can throw a wrench into your routine (especially during pandemics). Services like banking, bill payments, and public transport aren't quite as frictionless as Singapore's. Social factors—you'll miss some impromptu meetups and birthday dinners. Employer perceptions may not always be in your favour. Only 16% of employers fully support long-term remote work. However, with planning, effective communication, and a dash of patience, these issues can be resolved. 🌏 So, is the JB dream worth it? In Kesavan's words, 'It's not about 'escaping' Singapore so much as extending your reach.' JB offers more than cost savings. It offers space, slower pace, and the sense of reclaiming life's simple pleasures without severing ties to Singapore. For many digital nomads, it's the best of both worlds: nasi lemak or roti canai breakfasts and SGD bank balances. The lifestyle's not for everyone—but for those willing to cross a border for a better work-life balance, JB might just be the affordable escape next door — just ask Afiq Zayany, a Singaporean Grab rider, who cracked the code to living large on a lean budget by living in Johor Bahru while stashing away six figures annually, while probably sipping teh tarik happily by the pool of his RM1.4 million (S$399,000) villa. As Afiq says with a shrug, 'To get this… I worked as a Grab rider,' and by 'this,' he means the dream—one many Singaporeans are still dreaming about. You can read more about his story over here: Singaporean Grab rider shares how he earns six figures and lives in a RM1.4 million villa in Johor Bahru
AsiaOne
21-07-2025
- AsiaOne
Four Star rolls out SG60 celebration with $60 bedframe and up to $600 off sofas and furniture, Lifestyle News
Singapore's 60th birthday is around the corner, and it's not just the fireworks or National Day tunes filling the air. For many Singaporeans, that means finding ways to create comfort and joy within our everyday living environments - whether it's upgrading well-worn furniture, designing a new home from scratch or simply investing in better rest. If you've been meaning to upgrade your home, Four Star's SG60 Sale is the celebration you've been waiting for! From July 23 to 27 at their Ang Mo Kio pop-up store, shoppers can expect value-for-money promotions on quality mattresses and furniture, all designed to elevate everyday living without stretching the budget. Whether you're collecting keys to your BTO or refreshing the family nest, this sale is packed with deals you'll want to secure before they're gone. Cooling mattresses made for Singapore nights A good mattress is the foundation of a good night's sleep, and Four Star's range is tailored for comfort, support and durability - all while being well-suited for Singapore's humid climate. Its signature ArcticSilk Metex mattress features a silky-smooth, cooling fabric that helps regulate body temperature and keeps hot nights in check. It's also equipped with anti-static technology that discharges static buildup and reduce muscle tension, recognised by the Singapore Book of Records as the first anti-static mattress in the country. For those with specific needs, there's the Chiro mattress for back support and the Tencel mattress, a soft, skin-friendly option that's great for sensitive sleepers. Pair any of these with the current promos and you've gotten yourself an unbeatable bedroom bundle! Bed frames from $60, storage beds from $600 Once you've picked your mattresses, pair it with a modern wood bed frame* for just $60. Designed with clean lines and modern sensibilities customisable to your liking, it's a minimalist staple for any bedroom setup. And if you're short on space, consider Four Star's hydraulic storage beds* at $600. Fitted with a German lift system, it offers discreet, easy-access storage for you to keep extra bedding or bulky items out of sight. Customisation options are also available, from size configurations to drawer placements, with over 60 designs to choose from. *Available with selected mattress purchase Pintuck sheet sets at $60 A bedroom refresh wouldn't be complete without new sheets. Four Star's pintuck cotton fitted sheet sets are now just $60 across all sizes. Made with quality materials and available in multiple colours, they're an easy way to update your sleeping space without overspending. $600 off for living and dining picks The sale doesn't just stop at the bedroom. If you're looking to refresh your living and dining spaces, Four Star has got you! Check out their Signature recliner sofa, now $600 off, which features high back support, smooth electric reclining and an adjustable headrest - perfect for winding down after a long day. For added convenience, you can also customise your recliner with built-in storage compartments and wireless charging. If you prefer something more casual, the easy-care plush sofa, available in 3- or 4- seater configurations, offers soft, durable fabric that's designed for everyday lounging at $600 off as well. Rounding out the bundle is Four Star's natural wood dining set with $600 off selected models. With a 1+2+1 setup that includes a table, chairs and bench, it's a stylish, space-saving addition to any modern home! On top of its promotional prices, Four Star is also offering a suite of perks that include: GST absorption Free parking and taxi claim upon checkout Zero per cent interest instalment plans Warranty of up to 15 years Free delivery and one-for-one mattress disposal Ample parking space Celebrate in style with Four Star's SG60 Pop-Up Sale Happening from July 23 to 27, Four Star's SG60 Pop-Up Sale is the perfect chance to refresh your home while joining in the nation's 60th birthday celebrations. Don't miss your window to shop these limited time offers! *Terms and conditions apply. Images are for illustrative purposes only. Operating hours: 10am - 10pm (daily) Address: Work+Store Building, Level 8, Lobby A 38 Ang Mo Kio Ind Park 2, Singapore 569511 WhatsApp (Message only): Mattress: 9234 4442 Furniture: 9068 1287 This article is brought to you in partnership with Four Star.
