If were remained with Malaysia, the Chinese very likely will have reduced political influence. But economically they'd be above average.
They would have land, space, house, car, political variety. Don't like MCA, there's DAP or Gerakan. In good times they would make abundantly. In bad times they'd just plant crops on their land. No picking out cans and cardboard from the trash. Most will have pension unlike Singapore only the elite get pension, the rest die their own business.
So you were saying Singapore good? I agree, for the elites.