Fewer new PRs, citizens last year

DPM Wong allays concerns about influx of immigrants

THE Government hears and understands Singaporeans' concerns about the influx of immigrants in recent years, Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng said yesterday.

So it has refined the requirements for permanent residents (PRs) and new citizens, even as it continues to take them in to top up Singapore's declining population, he told Parliament.

As one indication, there were 59,500 new PRs last year, down from 79,200 in 2008, and 19,900 new citizens, compared to 20,500 a year ago.

'I know that this is a matter which Singaporeans care deeply about, and rightly so, as it concerns the value of our citizenship,' he said.

'We will ensure that those who become one of us are of suitable quality, and not only contribute to Singapore economically but also integrate well into our society,' he added.

Mr Wong, who is also Home Affairs Minister and oversees population issues, spoke during the debate on his ministry's plans for the coming financial year.

Eight MPs voiced concerns about the recent surge in foreigners - one in three people in Singapore is now foreign-born - and sought updates on policies to integrate newcomers.

Six months ago, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong first voiced understanding of Singaporeans' concerns, and promised to sharpen distinctions between citizens and non-citizens.

Since then, the Government has increased fees for non-citizens in schools, polytechnics and institutes of technical education, as well as giving citizens double the chances of PRs when it comes to school balloting at Primary1.

In health care, subsidies for citizens will be raised further, thus widening the gap with PRs.

Yesterday, Mr Wong said that while the Government continues to welcome 'good quality' PRs, Singaporeans come first in their own country.

'No need to worry about this,' he declared.

But distinctions must be sensible and balanced, and not undermine the principle of meritocracy which makes Singapore competitive and draws foreigners to sink roots here.

He emphasised the distinction between 'transient' foreigners who form a quarter of the five million people here, and resident ones who become PRs and citizens. Transients leave when their work permits or employment passes expire.

While Singaporeans may be frustrated and annoyed at sharing common spaces with people of different social habits and reflexes, the Government is taking action to educate foreigners on social norms here, said Mr Wong.

He added: 'I acknowledge that there are also those on employment passes holding jobs that Singaporeans are willing to do, and who compete directly with Singaporeans. However, if we want to compete globally, we have to create an environment which can attract the best people, including those who are mid-level - be they Singaporeans or foreigners.'

The number of new PRs minted each year rose from 32,000 in 2003 to 63,000 in 2007, which works out to an average of 48,300 a year over that five-year period.

Explaining the surge, Mr Wong said the Government took advantage of the strong economy in the mid-2000s to attract and retain suitable foreigners to sink roots here to make up for Singapore's low birth rate. It recently reviewed its framework for assessing PRs and citizens, and will tighten it further.

But he rejected an absolute cap on the numbers, saying: 'There may be events which trigger an unexpected surge in numbers, which we should take advantage of.'

Mr Wong also explained why Singapore needs to have new citizens each year: 'If our total fertility rate remains the same, and we do not allow immigrants to settle here, our resident population will start to shrink as early as 2025 because deaths will outstrip births.'

To replenish the current resident pool, Singapore needs 60,000 new babies a year. But there were only 37,000 local newborn babies last year, and despite numerous procreation incentives, the number does not promise to increase by much, he observed.

Hence the need to top up with about 20,000 new citizens each year, to ensure citizens form the core of the population.

Appealing to Singaporeans to be realistic about the need for immigrants, he said: 'We are all descendants of immigrants.

'Singapore grew and prospered since its founding because our great-grandparents, grandparents and parents were allowed to come and settle to make a better life and in the process, to contribute to Singapore's growth.

'Had they been denied the opportunity to do so at the right time, we would not have been born here and Singapore would not be what it is today.'

Source: Straits Times, 5 Mar 2010