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Huge turnout at Speakers' Corner for population White Paper protest

palden

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The speaker system is lousy la. Anyway no impact because those who attended is among the 40%. LKY laugh till Kenna stroke.
 
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palden

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Re: A historical gathering at Speakers' Corner

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Singaporeans are orderly, peaceful and pragmatic people - even when they are protesting ...Majulah Singapura!!!

Sinkees are ball less.
 

cass888

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Since when did AFP get acquired by SPH? :confused:

Organisers estimated the crowd at 3,000, but AFP reporters on the scene said between 1,000 and 1,500 people had taken part despite afternoon downpours, making it the biggest protest in Singapore in recent years.
 

makapaaa

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Re: A historical gathering at Speakers' Corner

Coffeeshop Chit Chat - 5000 brave rain to protest

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DESPITE THE SPIN BY THE MSN OF 2000 PEOPLE, I WAS THERE AND CAN CONFIRMED THAT IT IS MORE THAN 5000.
IT OVERFLOWED UNTIL THE ENTRANCE OF THE MRT STATION AND ONTO THE OVERHEAD BRIDGE.

IT SHOWS THAT THE PEOPLE CARES.
IT SHOWS THAT THE PAP DOES NOT CARE.
IT SHOWS THAT THE PAP HAS LOST THE COMMON GROUND
IT SHOWS THE DISCONNECT BETWEEN THE PAP AND SINGAPOREANS.
 
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makapaaa

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http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/02/16/3237890/rare-singapore-protest-against.html

Posted on Saturday, 02.16.13Posted on Saturday, 02.16.13
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tool goes here Rare Singapore protest against population plan
By FARIS MOKHTAR The Associated Press


Photos By FARIS MOKHTAR
Associated Press
SINGAPORE -- Nearly 3,000 people held a rare rally in Singapore on Saturday to protest a government plan to increase the city-state's population by admitting more foreigners, voicing concerns that it will worsen already strained public services and push up the cost of living.

Such demonstrations are rare in the Southeast Asian country, known for its image of political stability and efficient governance, with the ruling People's Action Party stifling opposition voices and placing tight controls on public protests.

The chief organizer of the rally, Gilbert Goh, said the protest was a display of citizens' unhappiness over the population plan, which was endorsed in parliament on Feb. 8. "They want to tell the government, please reconsider this policy. The turnout is a testimony that this policy is flawed and unpopular on the ground," he said.

According to the plan, the government will bolster infrastructure and social programs to accommodate a projected population of 6.5 million to 6.9 million by 2030 - a marked increase from the current population of 5.3 million. Of the projected 2030 population, non-foreigners would form between 3.6 and 3.8 million, slightly more than half of the total.

The issue triggered five days of intense debate in parliament, with both opposition and some PAP legislators expressing concerns that an immigration inflow would hurt public infrastructure and dilute the Singaporean identity. But the plan was eventually approved by a wide majority.

The plan to admit more new citizens comes amid government concerns that the current population will not help ensure the economy remains robust, as Singapore grapples with a falling birthrate and aging baby boomers.

"In my view in 2030, I think 6 million will not be enough to meet Singaporeans' needs as our population ages because of this problem of the baby boomers and bulge of aging people," Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in parliament on Feb. 8, adding that 6.9 million was not a target but a number to be used to help plan for infrastructure.

Although Singapore continues to bring in hundreds of thousands of immigrants from countries such as Indonesia and China to work as maids and construction workers, it also attracts thousands of higher-income foreigners who find the country's high standard of living and stability appealing.

But the influx has strained public services, with complaints of transport overcrowding, and caused property prices to escalate, sparking concerns among locals about the rising cost of living and fostering a deep resentment toward foreigners.

"Immigrants come at such a fast pace that they're not able to assimilate," said Samantha Chia, 32, one of the rally speakers. "It's unfair for them as well and a lose-lose situation."

Although economic prosperity has turned Singapore into a bustling metropolis, critics have noted the government's continuous pursuit of growth at all cost.
"We want the government to put the vast resources that are at their disposal at the service of us, the people," said one of Saturday's protesters, Vincent Wijeysingha, a university lecturer and member of the opposition Singapore Democratic Party. "Because we are not machines and our neighborhoods are not factories, and our island is not a hotel."

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/02/16/3237890/rare-singapore-protest-against.html#storylink=cpy
 

makapaaa

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[h=1]Rare Singapore protest against population plan[/h]<NOSCRIPT></NOSCRIPT>





Singaporeans gather at their speakers' corner in a protest against a paper passed in parliament last week that suggests continued immigration that would raise the total population to 6.9 million by 2030, a 30 percent increase, on Saturday Feb. 16, 2013 in Singapore. The paper was aimed at alleviating the falling birth rate and aging population has been met with much criticism as Singapore copes with a swell of immigrants that already tax current infrastructure and has caused much unhappiness among citizens. (AP Photo/Joseph Nair)

Singaporeans gather at their speakers' corner in a protest against a paper passed in parliament last week that suggests continued immigration that would raise the total population to 6.9 million by 2030, a 30 percent increase, on Saturday Feb. 16, 2013 in Singapore. The paper was aimed at alleviating the falling birth rate and aging population has been met with much criticism as Singapore copes with a swell of immigrants that already tax current infrastructure and has caused much unhappiness among citizens. (AP Photo/Joseph Nair)

Singaporeans gather at their speakers' corner in a protest against a paper passed in parliament last week that suggests continued immigration that would raise the total population to 6.9 million by 2030, a 30 percent increase, on Saturday Feb. 16, 2013 in Singapore. The paper was aimed at alleviating the falling birth rate and aging population has been met with much criticism as Singapore copes with a swell of immigrants that already tax current infrastructure and has caused much unhappiness among citizens. (AP Photo/Joseph Nair)
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By FARIS MOKHTAR, Associated Press
SINGAPORE — Nearly 3,000 people held a rare rally in Singapore on Saturday to protest a government plan to increase the city-state's population by admitting more foreigners, voicing concerns that it will worsen already strained public services and push up the cost of living.

Such demonstrations are rare in the Southeast Asian country, known for its image of political stability and efficient governance, with the ruling People's Action Party stifling opposition voices and placing tight controls on public protests.

The chief organizer of the rally, Gilbert Goh, said the protest was a display of citizens' unhappiness over the population plan, which was endorsed in parliament on Feb. 8. "They want to tell the government, please reconsider this policy. The turnout is a testimony that this policy is flawed and unpopular on the ground," he said.

According to the plan, the government will bolster infrastructure and social programs to accommodate a projected population of 6.5 million to 6.9 million by 2030 — a marked increase from the current population of 5.3 million. Of the projected 2030 population, non-foreigners would form between 3.6 and 3.8 million, slightly more than half of the total.

The issue triggered five days of intense debate in parliament, with both opposition and some PAP legislators expressing concerns that an immigration inflow would hurt public infrastructure and dilute the Singaporean identity. But the plan was eventually approved by a wide majority.
The plan to admit more new citizens comes amid government concerns that the current population will not help ensure the economy remains robust, as Singapore grapples with a falling birthrate and aging baby boomers.

"In my view in 2030, I think 6 million will not be enough to meet Singaporeans' needs as our population ages because of this problem of the baby boomers and bulge of aging people," Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in parliament on Feb. 8, adding that 6.9 million was not a target but a number to be used to help plan for infrastructure.

Although Singapore continues to bring in hundreds of thousands of immigrants from countries such as Indonesia and China to work as maids and construction workers, it also attracts thousands of higher-income foreigners who find the country's high standard of living and stability appealing.
But the influx has strained public services, with complaints of transport overcrowding, and caused property prices to escalate, sparking concerns among locals about the rising cost of living and fostering a deep resentment toward foreigners.
"Immigrants come at such a fast pace that they're not able to assimilate," said Samantha Chia, 32, one of the rally speakers. "It's unfair for them as well and a lose-lose situation."

Although economic prosperity has turned Singapore into a bustling metropolis, critics have noted the government's continuous pursuit of growth at all cost.

"We want the government to put the vast resources that are at their disposal at the service of us, the people," said one of Saturday's protesters, Vincent Wijeysingha, a university lecturer and member of the opposition Singapore Democratic Party. "Because we are not machines and our neighborhoods are not factories, and our island is not a hotel."


Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
 

makapaaa

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[h=4]YOUR FRIENDS' ACTIVITY[/h]prev next







[h=1]4,000 turn up at Speakers' Corner for population White Paper protest[/h]
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<CITE class="byline vcard">Yahoo! Newsroom – <ABBR title=2013-02-16T10:10:50Z>5 hours ago</ABBR></CITE>


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  • Reuters/REUTERS - A man holds a sign at a demonstration against a government white paper on population at Speakers' Corner in Singapore February 16, 2013. The paper released in January said the island's population …moreof 5.3 million could grow by as much as 30 percent by 2030, mostly through foreign workers to offset a chronically low birth rate. REUTERS/Edgar Su (SINGAPORE - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST) less


<!-- START article -->[h=3]Related Content[/h]



<!-- yog-5u -->
An estimated crowd of 4,000 people gathered at the Speakers' Corner at Hong Lim Park on Saturday afternoon to protest against the Population White Paper endorsed by Parliament last week.

[SEE SLIDESHOW]

Organised by transitioning.org, a support site for unemployed, the nearly four-hour protest saw people of all age ranges and races turn up in the light drizzle, with umbrellas and some with home-made, colourful placards and posters. Many also came with their young children in tow.

While organisers put the official figure at 4,000, others compared the size of the crowd to that of Pink Dot 2013, in which close to 15,000 took part.

A total of 12 speakers, including former NTUC chief Tan Kin Lian, former presidential candidate Tan Jee Say, SDP's Vincent Wijeysingha, NSP's Jeanette Chong-Aruldoss spoke at the event, mainly hitting out at the 6.9 million population figure mentioned in the White Paper.

Each speaker was given 10 minutes to address the crowd.

The peaceful protest was marked by poignant moments when the crowd sang "Count On Me, Singapore" at the midway mark, and also at the end when the National Pledge was lustily recited in unison.

Organiser Gilbert Goh told Yahoo! Singapore he was pleased with the turnout. Calling the protest "history-making", he said he initially only expected 200 to show.

"This protest event is meant for Singaporeans to come here in a peaceful manner to show their displeasure at the 6.9 million population target," he said.

"We also wanted to show Singaporeans that there's a place for you to come to legitimately protest against any policy that you have against the government. You don't have to sit behind Facebook and complain. You can show up in unity, in person to complain," he added.

Last week, Parliament endorsed an amended motion to the White Paper on Population by 77 votes to 13.

The amended motion filed by Holland-Bukit Timah MP Liang Eng Hwa stated that the White Paper “supports maintaining a strong Singaporean core by encouraging more Singaporeans to get married and have children, supplemented by a calibrated pace of immigration to prevent the citizen population from shrinking”.

PM Lee, in an address before the motion was endorsed, stressed that the 6.9 million population figure had been taken out of context and that the paper was not about any specific population size for beyond 2020, but rather that it was being used for the purpose of land use and infrastructure planning.
 

Fook Seng

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Look at their faces. The solemnness and glumly look. It tells all. Quite unlike any other gathering. Not even at an election rally do you see such a uniformity of expression. It was a really sad issue to protest on. If the government does not see it. It must be blind.
 
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