As Malaysians, we often grow up hearing about people moving overseas for better opportunities. After all, the grass usually looks greener on the other side.
Malaysian artist Jack Tan (陳澤耀), fondly known as Ah Zhe (阿哲), recently announced he had gotten a Taiwan residence visa. A netizen was quick to assume he had renounced his Malaysian citizenship instead.
On 26th June, the artist from Petaling Jaya posted a photo of himself holding his brand new residence visa. According to Xuan, Tan had applied for the visa in order to continue working in Taiwan. The artist initially had a time-sensitive work visa, however, he was afraid it would interfere with his work. Tan has supposedly been filming in Taiwan since December 2020 and is expected to continue till January 2022.
In his “You Ask, I’ll Answer” session on Instagram, a fan questioned why he would give up his Malaysian citizenship. The artist responded that he hadn’t. He was still a Malaysian, according to his identity card and passport. The residence visa merely made it easier for him to work in two places. “The word give up is a bit heavy,” he wrote. “A residence visa is not citizenship.”
Tan may hold a residence visa for Taiwan, but is still content to be a Malaysian, so fans should have no fear. The Malaysian artist however, will be taking advantage of the visa as he is planning to enroll in a performing arts course in Taiwan.
We certainly wish him all the best, as one Malaysian to another!
Sources: China Press, Xuan, Instagram
