Immigration
Of historical proportion
A tough policy to sell, success will depend on how it's
implemented. By Seah Chiang Nee.
Aug 27, 2006
IN a
rare display of public protest, someone sprayed a cynical
message in the heart of the prime minister's own constituency.
"Jobs for foreigners, national service for Singaporeans,"
it says.
This
is common stuff in many countries but not in squeaky-harsh
Singapore where painting public graffiti could gain the
artist a caned bottom, so it's not done lightly.
The
act underlies the degree of resentment some locals feel
towards foreigners they see as threatening their jobs or
reducing wages.
In a
televised National Day rally speech last week, PM Lee Hsien
Loong bit the bullet and took immigration in Singapore to
a new historical proportion.
He announced
a sharp increase in the number of citizenships granted to
foreigners to make up for its low birth rate.
Since
Sir Stamford Raffles found this city in 1819, it has seen
several waves of immigrants arriving at various stages of
history.
Like
their predecessors, the 21st century migrants also come
in search of a better life.
But
the big difference is that most come with full stomachs
and better skills and education, unlike their forefathers
who were illiterates fleeing from war and famine.
PM Lee
announced that a special Citizenship and Population Unit
would be set up under his Office to promote immigration
into Singapore and all kinds of talent would be sought,
not just graduates and professionals.
Singapore
will market itself overseas as a good migration place. Entry
rules will be eased for suitable candidates.
This
will run parallel to other measures to promote procreation
and to help overseas Singaporeans who are ready to return
home.
Today's
targets are not just neurosurgeons, CEOs and other high
fliers but ordinary people with special abilities ranging
from fashion designers, sportsmen, to small businessmen,
etc.
Opening
the doors wider to foreigners is not a very popular idea
among citizens anywhere, but Lee sees no other option for
tiny Singapore. His government is moving fast.
It offered
citizenship to 12,900 foreigners last year, twice the recent
average of 6,000 to 7,000, and says there will be more in
future.
In the
first half of this year, another 6,800 foreigners were sworn
in as citizens - as many as the whole of 2004.
Deputy
Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng said, "We must continue
to explore ways to make Singapore an attractive choice for
those seeking to eventually relocate their homes.
"If
we can keep up with that - 13,000, 14,000, 15,000, 16,000
(a year) and over time slowly increase it, I think that
will be good for us."
Declining
births for the past 30 years are threatening Singapore's
long-term survival as a nation. Last year 36,000 babies
were delivered, far short of the 60,000 needed to replace
the population.
Economists
fear that at this rate Singapore could - like Japan - one
day become extinct.
To make
matters worse, Singaporeans are ageing rapidly, which would
require more young people to support retirees, and that,
of course, is not happening.
At the
same time, many of its own citizens are migrating to the
West for a better life.
==============
Singapore's population changes
at a glance (annual figures):
-
Birth rate: 36,000.
Death rate: 16,000.
Estimated emigration: 7,000 (peak 1987:
12,000).
Rise in local population: 13,000.
New PRs: 30,000 (45% eventually given citizenship).
New citizenship granted: 12,900 (to increase).
Population increase: about 26,000.
Current population: 4.4m (local 3m).
2030 target: 6-7 million.
==============
Lee's
policy change is politically risky for his People's Action
Party, which suffered a 9% fall in popular support in the
May general election.
While
some say the inflow will contribute to Singapore's vibrancy
and stimulate the economy, many Singaporeans are fearful
about the competition they will bring.
They
resent foreigners for "taking over" their jobs
and lowering salaries, and complain that PRs are better
treated than citizens themselves.
For
one thing, they do not have to serve the two-year national
service and, although their children will have to, the number
of them actually doing it is extremely small.
For
years, immigrants have been making their presence felt,
with the number of permanent residents growing at a faster
rate than the citizen population.
In another
25 years, it will change Singapore's demography with the
"foreign" content overwhelming the "local"
population.
Some
critics see a political motive. Permanent residents cannot
vote in a general election, but citizens can. The enlargement
of the electoral list will have an impact in the next election
in 2011.
That
the new citizens are possibly beholden enough to the government
(at least initially) is not lost to the PAP.
One
cynic exclaimed, "It seems the PAP is not satisfied
with the 66.6% support, and thinks it can get more from
this exercise."
Not
everyone agrees with this.
Most
immigrants come from China, Malaysia and India and they
may not readily support the PAP's one-party democracy concept.
Their
voting and social behaviour will likely blend - eventually
- into that of the general population.
The
government has reassured Singaporeans that the measures
would be implemented with sensitivity, which could mean
that the rate of inflow may depend on the job market.
If it's
strong as it is now, the number will go up but in a tight
situation, fewer may be taken in.
More
important is the assurance given to the Singaporean Malays
that their 14% ratio of the population will not be diluted.
The Malay birth rate is higher than others, but even they
are not reproducing enough to replace themselves.
Since
fewer ethnic Malay or Indonesian talents are seeking citizenship
here, the authorities will probably go out of their way
to recruit capable ones.
(This
article was published in The Sunday Star Aug 27, 2006).
Comments
'We
frown on Quitters!'
This statement has become a joke. Or is it? We were so unkind
to Singaporeans who quit and left for foreign shores. Today,
we are praising all the quitters of foreign shores and welcoming
them here with open arms. We want to make non Singaporean
quitters feel that they are a highly desirable commodity
and we will go all out to make it easier for them to be
here.
Double speak, double talk, forked tongue? Heads I win, tail
you lose.
Quitters are no longer frowned. Quitters are good and precious.
posted by redbean @ http://mysingaporenews.blogspot.com/
Tan
Teow Chye says,
The reason behind the low birth rate in Singapore is not
difficult to see. I just don't understand why the government
cannot see it.
Immigration will bring in the numbers and also the problems.
Its still best to find out what is holding people back from
having more children. In fact, it is parents who cared for
their children's future who don't want to have more.
Loh
Yew Onn says,
Hi to all,
I have one thing in my mind and this is my personal point
of view only. I
stiil don't know what plan the goverment can help the singaporean.
When times are good, all foreign poeple rush to work in
singapore.
But when times are bad, they are out of Singapore. They
still can go to some other place or back to their home town,
that is not a problem for them.
As for singapore, when times are good, we are here. And
when times are bad, we are still standing here. Because
singaporeans have no place to go when it's bad. We are always
at the losing end. So what good things can the goverment
share with the Singaporean when it's good?
And when times are bad, Singaporean share their problem
together with the
goverment and work together to solve our problem. Do those
foreign talents do the same?
How many of them are ready to share?. So we may need to
check on this.
This is just my personnal point of view only.
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