Several local professionals told the daily they were considering the move as salaries for professionals there are expected to be bumped up by at least RM900, compounded by the drop in the value of the ringgit.

Accountant Amir Abdullah, 30, who currently draws about RM5,000 a month, is contemplating a move after receiving a job offer from a company there.

Another professional, a 32-year-old oil and gas engineer who only wanted to be identified as Tan, said the value of the ringgit to the Singapore dollar was a major reason why many Malaysians preferred working in Singapore.

He has been working there the past five years.

According to him, one has to have a degree or diploma from reputed universities, and also qualify for a Singapore employment pass (EP), to keep their jobs in Singapore.

Many of those holding EPs are bank officers, accountants, engineers, doctors and lawyers. From January, these professionals will take home a minimum of SGD3,600 (RM10,780), compared with the present SGD3,300 (RM9,880), said the report.

The daily also spoke to Johor South Small and Medium Enterprises advisor Teh Kee Sin, who urged Malaysian professionals to return and contribute to the Iskandar Malaysia development project instead.

He asked those who wanted to work in Singapore to consider the cost and long hours of commute to and from work, as well as the high rate of accommodation in Singapore.