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SM Goh: surge of immigrants caught govt by surprise
Sep 7, 2010
Take rational approach to problems: SM Goh
See pressing issues like housing, transport in perspective, he urges
By Zaini Hassan
WHEN Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong was a young civil servant working in the former Fullerton Building, he had, on occasion, waited as long as one hour to catch a bus home. Today, most people who fail to get on a packed MRT train have to wait just six to eight minutes to get on the second or third train.
But that is a long wait for them, he noted yesterday, when he drew the comparison to emphasise that Singapore can solve its most pressing problems as long as people adopt a rational approach towards them.
He made the point at a dialogue with 200 grassroots leaders at the Marine Parade Community Club, held to gather feedback on the issues Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong covered in his National Day Rally speech a week ago. Beyond transport, he also discussed the hot issues of housing, education and immigration, making the point that these are complex subjects and that every solution has its consequences.
To illustrate, he cited the new signalling system for easing MRT congestion by cutting waiting times for trains. 'You may have to spend about $1 billion just to change the system. What is unsaid is: Who is going to pay for this? 'If we tell you that fares are going to go up, there will be a huge howl of protest...But sooner or later, the cost must be defrayed,' he said. Reiterating the message he made over the weekend, he said these challenges were the result of Singapore's success and ought to be viewed in perspective.
Mr Goh, flanked by MPs Ong Seh Hong and Lim Biow Chuan, then asked the grassroots leaders from their three respective wards - Marine Parade, Kampung Ubi-Kembangan and Mountbatten - to suggest solutions that the Government could consider. It prompted a former national serviceman to urge the Government to consider giving those who have completed their service some form of recognition.
This is because they do not benefit from the latest NS Recognition Award, which gives NSmen up to $9,000 and commanders up to $10,500, which they can use to help pay for HDB homes. Mr Goh assured him that the sacrifices made by the older generation were no different, but noted they would have benefited in other ways, like having bought their HDB flats at a 'cheaper' price.
Still, the Government will take note of the suggestion that something could be done for former NSmen, he added. Mr Lim, however, said he was uncomfortable with the award as many people feel loyalty has no price - a remark that drew loud applause.
On housing, Mr Goh acknowledged that the surge of immigrants in 2007 and 2008 caught the Government by surprise. But the Government had not stopped them from coming because the booming economy needed workers.
Mr Goh also acknowledged the National Development Ministry 'did not provide for the sudden surge' in its housing plans. He then asked the audience for a show of hands on how they would rank, in order of importance, these issues: the economy, education and immigration. A dozen hands shot up for immigration, two dozen for education, and around 100 for the economy.
'That's the right order,' said Mr Goh.
He hinted at a possible change of policy on permanent residents (PRs): 'Moving forward, we are going to approach some to take up citizenship. If they don't, then their PR will not be renewed. That's a better way.'
With about 500,000 PRs, Mr Goh hopes that 'maybe 50,000 can be selected to be citizens and the rest can be PRs, contributing to Singapore's economy.'
Sep 7, 2010
Take rational approach to problems: SM Goh
See pressing issues like housing, transport in perspective, he urges
By Zaini Hassan
WHEN Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong was a young civil servant working in the former Fullerton Building, he had, on occasion, waited as long as one hour to catch a bus home. Today, most people who fail to get on a packed MRT train have to wait just six to eight minutes to get on the second or third train.
But that is a long wait for them, he noted yesterday, when he drew the comparison to emphasise that Singapore can solve its most pressing problems as long as people adopt a rational approach towards them.
He made the point at a dialogue with 200 grassroots leaders at the Marine Parade Community Club, held to gather feedback on the issues Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong covered in his National Day Rally speech a week ago. Beyond transport, he also discussed the hot issues of housing, education and immigration, making the point that these are complex subjects and that every solution has its consequences.
To illustrate, he cited the new signalling system for easing MRT congestion by cutting waiting times for trains. 'You may have to spend about $1 billion just to change the system. What is unsaid is: Who is going to pay for this? 'If we tell you that fares are going to go up, there will be a huge howl of protest...But sooner or later, the cost must be defrayed,' he said. Reiterating the message he made over the weekend, he said these challenges were the result of Singapore's success and ought to be viewed in perspective.
Mr Goh, flanked by MPs Ong Seh Hong and Lim Biow Chuan, then asked the grassroots leaders from their three respective wards - Marine Parade, Kampung Ubi-Kembangan and Mountbatten - to suggest solutions that the Government could consider. It prompted a former national serviceman to urge the Government to consider giving those who have completed their service some form of recognition.
This is because they do not benefit from the latest NS Recognition Award, which gives NSmen up to $9,000 and commanders up to $10,500, which they can use to help pay for HDB homes. Mr Goh assured him that the sacrifices made by the older generation were no different, but noted they would have benefited in other ways, like having bought their HDB flats at a 'cheaper' price.
Still, the Government will take note of the suggestion that something could be done for former NSmen, he added. Mr Lim, however, said he was uncomfortable with the award as many people feel loyalty has no price - a remark that drew loud applause.
On housing, Mr Goh acknowledged that the surge of immigrants in 2007 and 2008 caught the Government by surprise. But the Government had not stopped them from coming because the booming economy needed workers.
Mr Goh also acknowledged the National Development Ministry 'did not provide for the sudden surge' in its housing plans. He then asked the audience for a show of hands on how they would rank, in order of importance, these issues: the economy, education and immigration. A dozen hands shot up for immigration, two dozen for education, and around 100 for the economy.
'That's the right order,' said Mr Goh.
He hinted at a possible change of policy on permanent residents (PRs): 'Moving forward, we are going to approach some to take up citizenship. If they don't, then their PR will not be renewed. That's a better way.'
With about 500,000 PRs, Mr Goh hopes that 'maybe 50,000 can be selected to be citizens and the rest can be PRs, contributing to Singapore's economy.'
