Shaun Chen made headlines last year when he revealed he'd packed his bags and moved back to Malaysia with his family.

His wife Celine, who's also Malaysian, and their daughters Nellie, nine, and Neia, seven, have reportedly been living in a rented home in Johor Bahru's (JB) Eco Botanic City since Aug 1.

In a recent interview with actor-host Allan Wu on the latter's podcast Call Us Daddy, the 46-year-old actor shared more about his lifestyle now and reasons for the move.

As a Malaysian citizen, Shaun shared that it was a "natural and logical choice" to return to the country eventually, coupled with the fact that they also have extended family there.

He added that the cost of education and expenditure in Singapore was also a factor. 

"So one day I thought, since we already had the plan to make the move, why not make it earlier," he added. 

His wife was positive about it, said Shaun, and was the one who suggested that they live in JB so that he can commute to Singapore for work.

Not a 'downgrade' 

Citing the various pull factors for moving, he stated that the main reason was their Malaysian citizenship.

"Because we're Malaysians, we have an advantage; we can reduce our living costs as well and stay in a bigger house," said Shaun, whose hometown is in Negeri Sembilan. 

He added that both he and his wife had lived in bigger houses, compared to in Singapore, when they were growing up.

"If we stayed in Singapore, I don't know if I'll have a chance to stay in landed [property]. I don't think so, because I'm not a Singaporean."

When asked for a rough figure on how much they are able to save, Shaun shared that it would be between "30 per cent and 50 per cent".

Despite being comfortable living in Malaysia, he noted during the interview that he does not rule out the possibility of staying in Singapore in the future — for instance, if his kids were to study here.

Reflecting on comments from netizens about his move, he shared that while most were encouraging, some wondered if he was facing any difficulties or if it was a "downgrade".

"I don't think it's a downgrade, I've upgraded my lifestyle," he quipped, while making sure to emphasise: "Doesn't mean living here (in Singapore) is not good".

"I love the Singapore lifestyle, it's just different," he said. 

"Malaysia has a bigger space, and it's my country, that's the main thing," he added, giving the decision a solid rating of "eight upon 10".

Later on in the interview, he also estimated that the cost of a year's public school fees and after-school care in Singapore for a permanent resident to be almost equivalent to an international school education in Malaysia, which is about RM32,000 (S$9,700) annually.

Becoming 'an ambassador for JB'

Interestingly, he noted that following the move, friends and acquaintances he hadn't met for some time began contacting him to ask about his lifestyle now, "as if I'm the ambassador [for JB]", he joked.

"I thought, 'Oh no, do I have to make a list of what we have here in Iskandar Puteri'," he said, revealing earlier that the district near the Second Link is "more spacious and less congested".

On his commute for shoots in Singapore, Shaun shared that it is typically a 45-minute drive from home and 1.5 hours if there's a jam, but it can take up to two to three hours if it's "a really bad jam", which he said doesn't happen often.

Elaborating more on the family's lifestyle in Malaysia, Shaun added that they live in a landed home within a gated community where there's more space for his two daughters. It's "very safe", so the children are able to play with their friends freely within the compound, said Shaun.

He added that the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur is also easily accessible via a flight from Senai Airport or by car.

"Wow, I'm really becoming the ambassador of JB," he joked.

While he's accustomed to being recognised by fans both in Singapore and across the Causeway, he acknowledged that Malaysians are more enthusiastic.

But a note to fans who happen to spot him in public, he's happy to pose for photographs as long as they ask.

"If you ask, I'll definitely say yes, just don't take photos in secret," he stated good-naturedly.

candicecai@asiaone.com

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