In Singapore, arrival visas get negated upon departure, and renting an apartment while on social visa is equivalent to committing suicide - all the agents will try to fleece you till you regret even thinking of such a thing.

As for Malaysia, same thing goes, and if you are no social/visit pass, then it will make life hard for living there. And Malaysian Immigration can make it a point to demand RM for the extension. And visa runs can turn into money traps, especially if the person has to travel a lot.

My suggestion - check on ICA website, and register a company here, as a Regional operation of a MNC - they have such options, at the ACRA site and the MOM site the details are in clear English. And Secretarial companies will help to incorporate and manage the legal work.

Obtaining a pass under the company would then be a breeze, and upon completion of the work, you can liquidate the company. You will loose some money for the Secretarial fee and the liquidation, but atleast you will have Singapore as a Legal base of operation, plus will make things easier. Added, opening a bank account and remitting the pay here will relieve you of any complication.

Anyway, do look up to the MOM/ICA/ACRA websites for further info on how to work this out. Legally !!