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[SINGAPORE] That the government needs to fix immediate problems first and regain the trust of the populace emerged as a common theme yesterday, as Members of Parliament entered the second day of the population debate.
Indeed, there is a need to take a five-year breather to "solve all the problems created by the past policies of rapid economic and population growth", said Inderjit Singh (Ang Mo Kio GRC), stressing the need to find a better balance between economic growth and social cohesion.
To that end, the numbers added to the Singapore population - in terms of permanent residentships and citizenships granted - must be more exact, and not planned on the basis of "hoping we hit some number".
"We missed the mark the last 10 years, and are already paying a high price for that mistake," he said. "As a government, we need to rebuild the trust and confidence among Singaporeans that our citizens matter most to us, and that we are willing to take a break from our relentless drive for growth to solve their problems. Let's delay the plans for population growth for now, and focus on nation building."
Indeed, there is a need to take a five-year breather to "solve all the problems created by the past policies of rapid economic and population growth", said Inderjit Singh (Ang Mo Kio GRC), stressing the need to find a better balance between economic growth and social cohesion.
To that end, the numbers added to the Singapore population - in terms of permanent residentships and citizenships granted - must be more exact, and not planned on the basis of "hoping we hit some number".
"We missed the mark the last 10 years, and are already paying a high price for that mistake," he said. "As a government, we need to rebuild the trust and confidence among Singaporeans that our citizens matter most to us, and that we are willing to take a break from our relentless drive for growth to solve their problems. Let's delay the plans for population growth for now, and focus on nation building."