Mediacorp actor Shaun Chen, 45, relocated his family from Singapore to the Eco Botanic township in Johor Bahru on August 1.

In an interview with Lianhe Zaobao, Chen, a Malaysia-born Singapore permanent resident, said the move did not disrupt his family’s routine.

"It's only about a 30-minute drive from Singapore to my home in Johor Bahru via the Second Link, making it very convenient. Plus, we've reduced our living expenses by around 30% since moving," he said.

Reason for the Move

According to Chen, the decision to relocate was influenced by his age.

"I'm not young anymore, and I've always planned to return to Malaysia after retirement. So, I decided to enroll my young daughters in an international school in Johor Bahru," Chen shared with Zaobao.

Chen’s daughters, nine-year-old Nellie and seven-year-old Neia, began attending their new school about a month ago and are very happy.

"The school provides a supportive environment, the workload is manageable, and they get to meet students from around the world. It also helps them develop independent thinking skills," said Chen.

Regarding costs, Chen noted that the tuition fees at international schools in Malaysia are similar to schooling costs in Singapore.

"Education in Singapore for PRs isn’t cheap. If you factor in student care costs, it’s quite comparable," he added.

Living in Eco Botanic Township

Chen, his wife Celine, and their daughters are currently renting a home in the Eco Botanic township while searching for a permanent residence. Chen had previously purchased a property there but sold it during the pandemic when his family could not relocate.

Eco Botanic is a popular residential area among Malaysians and Singaporeans due to its amenities and lifestyle offerings. A simple terrace house in this area starts at RM1 million (S$300,000), according to Zaobao.

Career Outlook

Chen said the move will not significantly impact his career, as he will continue to commute between Malaysia and Singapore for work.

"With Mediacorp training new talent, veteran actors like us naturally have fewer opportunities. But I've been through this before and understand the process. I’ll continue working hard and look forward to new roles," Chen said.

Chen also revealed plans to work on two movies through his newly established company, Filmforce Studio. One of their investments is "Money Games," a Chinese New Year 2025 film directed by Malaysian filmmaker Matt Lai and featuring Hong Kong stars Eric Tsang and Bobby Au-yeung.

"Our move to Johor Bahru is about finding a more comfortable and relaxed living environment. I’ll keep working on TV series and movies, and I hope to see the Malaysian film industry thrive as well," Chen added.