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Nov 9, 2009 Potential citizens are vetted carefully: MM Contributions are key, he says, in response to fears over immigration By Rachel Chang THE government looks closely at permanent residents' (PRs) contributions to Singapore before deciding which ones can become citizens, said Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew last night at a Tanjong Pagar GRC event. 'So please put up with the new immigrants. We are very careful about who becomes a citizen,' he said, responding to criticisms over the growing influx of foreigners living and working here. There were more than 1.2million foreigners in Singapore last year. Mr Lee said that 10per cent of the pool of foreigners here are new PRs, while another 20per cent are PRs who have been here for some time. 'This 20per cent, we will look at their performance and slowly absorb those who can help us. If they don't help us raise the level, they won't be citizens. We are not stupid.' As for the remaining 70per cent of foreigners who are here on work permits, 'they are not citizens and never will be', he added. 'They will go home after two years. They do the difficult jobs and without them, MRT stations will not go up. 'Look at the Integrated Resorts. (On the) rooftop, not one (construction) worker there is a Singaporean. (They are) China Chinese and the Indians. If you don't have that, where's the IR, and the 10,000 jobs (they will create)?' Speaking to his constituents in English, Chinese and Malay, he urged them to bear with the tide of foreigners, 'even if it's making Singapore a little uncomfortable and cramped'. 'We must adjust and accommodate. The most important factor to keep Singapore going is growth.' It is only through continued growth that Singapore can overcome the problems of the future, he said. Now, the demographics are such that five working persons support one elderly person. In 20 years, it will be 11/2 workers for every elderly person, he said. 'How does it work? How do we get the money to support them in hospices and hospitals?' he asked. Hence, the need for foreigners to power the growth to overcome Singapore's looming problems and raise the Singaporean's standard of living. 'What the government needs to take care of is your welfare, not the newcomers' welfare. The newcomers help us take care of your welfare, so we accept them,' he said, noting that foreigners from China, India and Malaysia come here because Singapore gives them a better future. Mr Lee had earlier planted a tree sapling at Henderson Heights for the GRC's Tree-Planting Day. The occasion was also used to mark the end of upgrading works at the estate and to announce a new Selective En-Bloc Redevelopment Programme for four blocks in Bukit Merah View. During his 45-minute address, he also warned young Singaporeans against taking the prosperity of the last 20 to 30 years for granted. Singapore has come out of the recession with minimum damage, but the country can easily go into decline 'if we do not work together and strive and make this place successful'. rchang@sph.com.sg Copyright © 2007 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved. Privacy Statement & Condition of Access ------ Nov 9, 2009 S'pore's future depends on leaders' mettle MINISTER Mentor Lee Kuan Yew yesterday hit out at critics of People's Action Party politicians, reiterating that the Singapore system works precisely because the ruling party takes great care when choosing its candidates, including some who forgo high-paying careers to become ministers. To drive home his point, he pointed to the examples of Law Minister K. Shanmugam, an MP of Sembawang GRC, and Tanjong Pagar GRC MP Indranee Rajah. Ms Indranee is a lawyer with one of Singapore's top legal firms, just as Mr Shanmugam was before he became an office-bearer last year. Mr Shanmugam, Mr Lee said, could make $6 million a year while in private practice, but now makes $1.5 million a year as a minister. '(Opposition MP) Low Thia Khiang says, 'Oh, so much money.' I tell you honestly, if I am not a minister, I myself could make two or three times what I am making now. Every time I talk to foreign companies, they offer me $100,000. What do I do with the money? I give it (away) for scholarships, donate to it schools,' he added. Likewise, it was hard to find an MP like Ms Indranee - well-educated, earning a good living, but who yet took the time to nurture her constituency and push residents' interests and help improve their living conditions. Mr Lee was speaking during a Tanjong Pagar GRC tree planting event. In his remarks, he reiterated a point made by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong a week ago, that the PAP would have a new generation of leaders in place by the next general election, which must be held by February 2012. Said MM Lee yesterday: 'By the next election, you will see the nucleus of a new generation (of leaders) - as able, as determined, and as committed, integrity and capabilities beyond doubt. That way we keep Singapore healthy, strong and at peace.' He added that although Singapore's population is small, it has ministers who can talk to their counterparts in the United States and China as equals. Stressing the importance of having leaders of high calibre, he said: 'Remember, it's not an election campaign. It's real life.' CLARISSA OON Copyright © 2007 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved. Privacy Statement & Condition of Access |