You sacrify while we continue to get rich.

Public support needed to balance foreign talent and economic growth: Ng Eng Hen15 July 2012

“SINGAPORE: Defence Minister Dr Ng Eng Hen said Singapore will be able to strike a proper balance between economic growth and foreign talent - with public support.

He urged Singaporeans to play their part in helping to achieve such a balance.

Dr Ng said it will always be difficult to do so, and added that Singapore should not pretend that it is going to be easy.

He said: "The balance depends very much on what Singaporeans are willing to support. Because if you tighten too much, your jobs are at risk. And not only your jobs, because you become less competitive. But not only that, for example in essential services, we need people to build our homes, man our hospitals, so on and so forth. Your quality of life will be affected…. “


S Iswaran urges new citizens to integrate, be part of larger society
15 July 2012

“SINGAPORE: Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, S Iswaran, has urged new citizens to learn to integrate and be part of a larger society.
He said this on the sidelines of a racial harmony event in his constituency, West Coast GRC, on Sunday morning. …..“


Approach integration with same spirit as racial harmony: Chan Chun Sing
15 July 2012

“SINGAPORE: Singapore will be able to integrate new immigrants in the coming years, if it approaches integration with the same spirit it has approached racial harmony.

Acting Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports Chan Chun Sing said he is confident of this, but stressed that everyone needs to play a part.

He said: "That will require two hands to clap, it will require fellow Singaporeans to remain open to people from different backgrounds.

"Yet at the same time, it will require new immigrants, our new friends, to come on board and play a part in our society, to reach out, to understand our social norms and to reach out to fellow Singaporeans. Only so, will we be able to build an inclusive society for everyone."



Holy shit! Channel News Asian ran not one but 3 articles with 3 different Ministers telling Singapore the same thing yesterday.

They are telling you to “integrate” with immigrant and you have to sacrifiy else Singapore will be doomed.

Ok to be fair S Iswaran is telling to the new citizen to buck up else Singaporeans will hate you.

These 3 jokers no doubt is being task to echo Hsien Loong message last week, they are reminding Singaporean that we need the new immigrants, we must bite the bullet and accept them else our country not have any growth and they can’t have their millions. But they also claims they are telling the new citizen to behave like Singaporean else they will face discriminations.

Also note Eng Hen is telling you to sacrifice my friends, not him nor the other Ministers nor the Elites. They want you to share resources with the new citizen while they still live in their private house, travel in their luxury cars and eat their lunch at expensive restaurant with no immigrant. Meanwhile they are enjoying their million dollar salaries while you and I are competition with the new immigrants for bus seats, MRT standing space, food in the hawkers, medicine at the clinics and urinals in the public toilets.

This idiot go on saying your quality of live will go down if you don’t have the immigrant, maybe yours but not the poor Eng Hen, how will the poor quality of live go down if we minus the immigrant? So what we are less competitive and our economy don’t grow so fast? I rather have less pay in a country that is less expensive and less crowded.

You just worry for yourself not ordinary Singaporearn.

So my dear Singaporeans, do you want these idiots yes men to be your leaders? You think they will work for your or your children to make this country a better place for you?

These MIW has been living in their ivory towers for too long and they sound stupid even when they try to understand your plight.

Vote wisely come 2015 else we will be slave forever.

The Elites will always be Elites.

Govt 'will manage social impact of immigration'
PM Lee urges newcomers to the Republic to play their part in adapting to society
Jul 11, 2012

SINGAPORE - Hong Kong and Singapore, which have seen an influx of Chinese immigrants in recent years, have had to adjust to the social impact of a rising China, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong yesterday.

Speaking at the closing dialogue of the FutureChina Global Forum, Mr Lee said Singapore deals with this issue by managing the inflow of immigrants and getting them to adapt to the local way of life.

He felt it was "completely understandable" that Singaporeans may feel uncomfortable with the recent influx of mainland Chinese immigrants, who may look the same as Singaporean Chinese but sound and behave differently.

Mr Lee said the Government will continue to manage the social impact of immigration and urged newcomers to play their part.

"We have to encourage the non-Singaporeans who are living here to adapt to the circumstances in Singapore and understand that this is a different society with different values and cultures, and (a society that is) multi-racial and religious," he said.

"(They) have to make those adaptations which the Singaporean Chinese have adapted and learnt over several generations.

"Of course, we also have to manage the numbers and the flow and make sure we're not overwhelmed. We have to make sure there is effort on both sides to make this a working, adapted and well-adjusted relationship."

The forum brought together more than 60 speakers to share insights on China's evolving society and culture.

On the issue of attracting and retaining talent in the Republic - a problem faced by cities around the world - Mr Lee said: "We must expect that people will go and, at the same time, we must attract people who can make a contribution to Singapore to come to Singapore."

Singapore is an attractive choice because there are opportunities here and it is an exciting and good place to live, he added.

"We try to make it such that if you come (to Singapore) and make a contribution, you can do well and fulfil your potential. I think we have to be like that if Singapore is to prosper."

On the business front, Mr Lee said Singapore companies can benefit from the continued cooperation between the two countries. The key to success is to ensure that companies continue to deliver and that the Singapore brand does not get tarnished, he said.

It took a lost of a GRC for the PAP to realise the seriousness of the situation on how ordinary Singaporean are sick to the neck of the open immigration policy of the government.

Hsieng Loong used to tell Singaporean on how much we need to rely on foreigner and Singapore will be collapse and lose it competitive edge if we don’t have them.

Now after losing the record number of seats in the parliament the PAP is stating to sing a different tune.

 They are now finally putting a filter on the open flood gate and is now telling the immigrant to changed instead of asking the Singaporean to change.

Frankly I think it is too little too late and I foresee the PAP will lost more seats in parliament in the next GE. Why? Because the changes PAP promised in the last GE is taking too long and till now I don’t see any concrete improvement of Singaporean lives since.

What we need now is to send stronger signals the incumbent that your Elite pro policy is obsolete and we demand changes. Give me back the Singapore we want!

 These policy makers are sitting comfortably in their ivory towers, they don’t sit and eat at the same table with the immigrants, they don’t fight for seats with them on the MRT and buses, they don’t queue up at the supermarket with them and they don’t wait in line at the polyclinic with them so how can the Elites know the Peasants problems?

Till now I cannot see how serious the PAP is to make life in Singapore better for the ordinary folks.

 So I guess the people will not take you seriously too dear Hsien Loong.

Singapore's Isabelle

SEA Games: Singapore complete clean sweep in table tennis
17 November 2011

JAKARTA: Before they went into action here at the 26th SEA Games, Team Singapore's table tennis stars walked the playing hall and the streets without any fuss.

It was a very different story on Wednesday.

The team of eight were mobbed by local fans at the Soemantri Brodjonegoro Sports Complex after sweeping all five of the gold medals on offer in table tennis.

It was an all-Singapore affair on the final day of table tennis, with world No 4 Feng Tianwei claiming the gold medal in the women's singles and Gao Ning emerging as the men's singles champion.

Feng, 25, proved too good for her younger team-mate, Isabelle Li, the 17-year-old debutant.

There was tremendous support for the two Singapore women in the stands, that also featured a contingent of Team Singapore supporters, including chef-de-mission Dr Tan Eng Liang.

Feng was never troubled, wrapping up the final 4-0 (11-3, 11-4, 11-9, 11-5) in 35 minutes.

Said the defending champion, who also picked up a gold in the women's doubles: "I think today Isabelle was not so used to my style and I played better and was more steady.

"Isabelle is a player with a lot of promise. She's good and she just needs to work on her aggression and attack."

Feng returns to Singapore on Thursday before departing for London on November 21 to compete in the ITTF Pro Tour Grand Finals.

Watched by her family members and friends, last year's Youth Olympic Games silver medallist Isabelle was delighted to finish second on her debut.

"There is still a gulf in standard between us, and it was a hard match for me. This is my first time competing against Tianwei and it was a very special moment for me playing against a world champion and world No 4," said the teenager.

In the men's singles final that followed, it was sweet revenge for veteran Gao Ning, who notched a 4-0 (11-6, 11-9, 12-10, 11-8) victory over team-mate Yang Zi. The 29-year-old had lost the Commonwealth Games gold to Yang in New Delhi last year,

Gao Ning, who claimed his third successive singles gold in the event, said: "It's a good feeling. I think I prepared more sufficiently this time around and clinched the crucial points."

With five golds and four silver medals from five events, table tennis is the most successful sport for Singapore here.

Selection issues had dogged the paddlers ahead of the SEA Games, as the Singapore Table Tennis Association (STTA) got into a tangle with the Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC).

It was eventually resolved, and speaking on Wednesday, STTA president Lee Bee Wah said: "I'm very proud of them, especially our younger players Xuejie and Isabelle. I think the results speak for itself ... the STTA wants to groom younger players.

"In future, the policy of sending one set of senior players to get medals and another set of younger ones for development will remain (for SEA Games)."

Chef-de-mission Tan, a vice-president at the SNOC, personally congratulated Lee on the team's success.

"Our congratulations to the paddlers and the association for winning five gold medals. They deserve our fullest and heartiest congratulations.

"The younger players, especially Isabelle and Pang, they have done well to reach where they are, and it's good for them and table tennis," he said.



I am so happy and proud of Isabelle being a true blue Singaporean and manage to beat a China Born “Singaporean”.

Just imagine if there is no Feng in the team, Isabelle may just be the SEA game’s champion.

Personally I do not support these “buying” of foreigner, give them a citizenship and let them represent Singapore.

It is different if one migrated here and Singapore developed him or her to represent Singapore.

If he or she is already trained and just because his/her home country has quota of sending them to world championship and these players has to seek second home in Singapore then it is not too correct.

To them Singapore is just suckers for putting someone on the world map of sports.

In fact I think fame is not so important. We don’t have to win an Olympic medal by importing foreigners.

We should spend more time and effort to develop our own people. True blue Singaporean.

Isabelle stands a good chance of being one of the world best. I think we should be spending more money on Table Tennis then those idiotic swimmers who try to speak like American.

Looking forward to see more or Isabelle in the future, and congratulation for winning the silver medal.

Overcrowding

S'pore population to hit 5 million soon
The growth has been fuelled mainly by the increase in PRs and new immigrants.

Tue, Sep 29, 2009 my paper

SINGAPORE'S population hit almost 4.99 million in June this year, up 3.1 per cent from last year.

The growth has been fuelled mainly by the increase in immigrants, as the number of babies delivered by Singapore residents rose only marginally.

The figures released yesterday by the Department of Statistics show that the number of citizens grew from 3.16 million last year to 3.2 million this year, while that of permanent residents inched up from 0.48 million last year to 0.53 million this year.

The number of non-residents rose by 4.8 per cent to reach 1.25 million this year - a lower rise from the over-10 per cent rate in the last two years.

Just slightly more babies were born last year than in the previous year: 39,826, up 0.9 per cent. However, the total fertility rate dropped from 1.29 to 1.28 last year.

Associate Professor Paulin Straughan, a sociologist from the National University of Singapore, said that it is positive that Singapore has been able to sustain population growth, despite the recession and competition from other developed countries.

Like Singapore, they seek immigrants to make up for falling fertility rates.

Prof Straughan, who is also a Nominated Member of Parliament, said: "It shows that Singapore is a draw for migrants, that there are still jobs and quality of life here."

Administrative planner Yvonne Tay, 35, became a citizen in April this year, 16 years after coming here from Perak, as she wanted her children "to enjoy better education opportunities and subsidies as a citizen".
She said: "We're used to the lifestyle here, it's safe and peaceful. Half of my family is also here, and my sister's family also took up citizenship three years ago."

From WIKIPEDIA:

In 2000-2005, net migration in 28 countries either prevented population decline or doubled at least the contribution of natural increase (births minus deaths) to population growth. These countries include Austria, Canada, Croatia, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Qatar, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, United Arab Emirates and United Kingdom

All nice and positive comment by new immigrant Yvonne, wonder why they did not interview and Singaporean.

I have no qualm about “good quality” immigrant. But if our gahment just bring in any Tom, Dick and Harry so they can earn from the taxes they collect then this is really sad.

Not to forget only Singaporean are F**King serving NS for 13 years so everyone living on this Island can enjoy it.

Time to get out of here.

Foreign Talents?

Give foreign talent equal dues
Why treat overseas employees differently?
Wednesday • December 6, 2006
Letter from Robyn M Speed

I refer to the report, "Permanent Residents debate price of citizenship", (Dec 5).

One might argue that Singapore citizens in other countries should not be entitled to the same benefits as the citizens of those countries.

It is only fair that they pay full health costs and pay more for education.

If they want the same treatment as citizens, they should take up citizenship in that country.It should not matter if Singaporeans have been living in Australia, New Zealand, or the United States for a decade or more — they should not get the same rights as the citizens. They should expect to pay more.

It is only fair. Right?

I bet you would say no; that if you do the work, you should get fair and equal treatment.

Yet, that is what Singapore wants to do to foreigners here.

You want the top professionals in the world to come and work here, to build Singapore as the top research place in the world, the top education hub. Yet you want to hold them distant, to treat them as second to the locals.

Surely these foreigners are working for Singapore and her citizens, to build your country and economy, to add to your markets and prestige.Some come here, with their families, for career opportunities.

They pay rent at the market rate for a condo apartment, their children attend an international school (because they want a sense of continuity for their children's education). Add up these costs and they are paying a lot of money, while supporting Singapore's economy.

Why do these foreign employees come here?

Because the employer decided that they were the best person for the job. Singapore is a small country and it is difficult for anyone to have the same experience as a worker who has travelled the world, worked in massive markets and learnt from the top people in their fields.

I am an expat. We all have a bond with our homeland and to turn one's back on it is considered to be almost despicable by many. Our homeland is our home in the world — you cannot lightly ask a person to give that up.

Singapore wants to be an international hub of research, education, tourism and so on. And yet, this latest move smacks of: "You are welcome to come, but … ". Foreigners are either welcome or they are not.

And beware, for there are always other markets for these people to go to.


Poor Robyn is bickering she is being treated differently from Singaporean.

Again isn’t this a logical think for every countries in the world to put their citizens first prior to expatriates.

Robyn gave a reason on why these foreigners come to work in Singapore is because their employee decided that they were the "BEST" person for the job.

The fact is many of these foreigners are facing unemployment back home and are forced to seek employment elsewhere.

Not to mention that Singapore is a much better country to live in compare to some of those countries these FTs come from.

Also we must be careful not to be a sucker for FTs as some of them are worst then Singaporean in term of work performances.

Having traveled the work does note necessary make you a better worker, in face it may even mean you cannot adapt to the new working environments.

And yes we know there are jobs elsewhere but please note these jobs are also available to Singaporean and that is the reason why the Govt is trying to make the them stay as they are cheaper compare to most expatriates.

Cut throat Cubbies?

As reported by The New paper.

http://newpaper.asia1.com.sg/news/story/0,4136,111960,00.html

Maybe this is what our PM meant by embracing Foreign Talents?

Haha...

More FT to stimulate the economy.

I personally had written a complaint letter to CAAS on limo taxi drivers touting at the airport. What a disgrace to Singapore.