A light‑hearted Facebook post by Singaporean opposition politician Derrick Sim has drawn serious attention to the Malaysian ringgit’s recent gains against the Singapore dollar and what this could mean for both countries’ economies. In his viral note to Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Sim jokingly urged him to “lepak a bit” and “not work so hard” as the currency gap narrows.​

What Sparked The Viral Comment?

• Derrick Sim, chairman of Singapore’s People’s Power Party (PPP), published an open message to Anwar on Facebook after observing the ringgit’s appreciation during the year‑end holiday period.​

• He highlighted that the exchange rate moved from about 3.18 on 11 December to around 3.15 ringgit per Singapore dollar by early January, signalling a noticeable strengthening in a short time.​

• In his post, Sim praised Anwar as “one of the best Prime Ministers Malaysia has seen in a long, long time” before slipping in a playful request for the 78‑year‑old leader to relax.​

Key Quotes From Derrick Sim

• Sim wrote that, in his opinion, Anwar is genuinely among Malaysia’s best modern leaders and credited him with helping restore investor confidence.​

• He joked that if the ringgit becomes too strong, Singaporeans heading to Johor might “only order roti canai kosong and go back” because many remain highly budget‑conscious.​

• Ending on a friendly note, he told Anwar to “take it easy” and reminded readers that “slow and steady wins the race,” framing the message as both praise and gentle humour.​

Why The Ringgit Is Strengthening Against The Singapore Dollar

• Recent analyses point to improving Malaysian economic fundamentals, including stronger growth figures and a surge in foreign direct investment, with one report citing a roughly 47% jump in FDI and billions of dollars flowing into the country.​

• Observers highlight Malaysia’s competitive costs, relatively stable environment and well‑developed semiconductor ecosystem as reasons global supply chains are increasingly looking beyond China and into Malaysia.​

• At the same time, the Monetary Authority of Singapore has been easing monetary policy, which can reduce upward pressure on the Singapore dollar and make it easier for the ringgit to gain ground.​

Outlook: Could The Ringgit Go Below 3.00 To The Singapore Dollar?

• In his Facebook commentary, Sim suggested that the ringgit could continue to strengthen, potentially moving into the “3.0X” range against the Singapore dollar or even breaking below the psychological 3.00 level within the next 18 months if current trends hold.​

• Other regional reports note that analysts expect the exchange rate to hover around the mid‑3.10s in 2026, but agree that the direction will depend on Malaysia’s reform momentum, global rate cuts, and how capital flows respond to changing supply‑chain dynamics.​

• For Malaysians earning in Singapore dollars the appreciation can feel uncomfortable, but for Malaysia as a whole a firmer ringgit often reflects better confidence in the economy and more sustainable long‑term growth.