X
Xiahou Dun
Guest
Singapore
Mar 3, 2010
BUDGET DEBATE 2010
Do more for new migrants
AN MP has argued for more spending to help new immigrants integrate with Singaporeans, going against the general calls from many locals for lesser privileges for permanent residents and foreigners. Noting that the Government has set aside $10 million in the Budget for national integration, which has generated criticism online and in coffee shops on the use of public funds for foreigners, Marine Parade GRC MP Seah Kian Peng said more needs to be done to help new immigrants 'work with the old team and feel a part of us'.
'First, we need to make sure that they are called new Singaporeans rather than new migrants. They are not even new migrants - they are an old hand at migrating, and want a new life. They want to settle down and to make Singapore a new home,' said Mr Seah in his speech during the debate on the 2010 Budget Statement on Wednesday. He noted that no large scale survey has been done to find out what these new Singaporeans need. 'We have not done any large scale survey, we do not know their problems but we have already gone ahead and decided that the funds will go towards organizing activities.
But songs, dances and performances are entertaining but do we perhaps need something more?' he said. 'What we ought to do is first - find out what new Singaporeans need, and then target funding at helping them meet these needs. If it is language skills, then we should subsidize language classes. If it is educational information, or integration at schools, then we ought to target that.' With 20,000 migrants becoming new citizens each year, Mr Seah then suggested rewarding such parents with some form of baby bonus when they have a new Singapore baby. 'I have made the argument for national integration with new Singaporeans on the basis that they are members of the same team,' he stressed.
Mar 3, 2010
BUDGET DEBATE 2010
Do more for new migrants
MP for Marine Parade GRC
(Braddell Heights):
Mr Seah Kian Peng
(Braddell Heights):
Mr Seah Kian Peng
AN MP has argued for more spending to help new immigrants integrate with Singaporeans, going against the general calls from many locals for lesser privileges for permanent residents and foreigners. Noting that the Government has set aside $10 million in the Budget for national integration, which has generated criticism online and in coffee shops on the use of public funds for foreigners, Marine Parade GRC MP Seah Kian Peng said more needs to be done to help new immigrants 'work with the old team and feel a part of us'.
'First, we need to make sure that they are called new Singaporeans rather than new migrants. They are not even new migrants - they are an old hand at migrating, and want a new life. They want to settle down and to make Singapore a new home,' said Mr Seah in his speech during the debate on the 2010 Budget Statement on Wednesday. He noted that no large scale survey has been done to find out what these new Singaporeans need. 'We have not done any large scale survey, we do not know their problems but we have already gone ahead and decided that the funds will go towards organizing activities.
But songs, dances and performances are entertaining but do we perhaps need something more?' he said. 'What we ought to do is first - find out what new Singaporeans need, and then target funding at helping them meet these needs. If it is language skills, then we should subsidize language classes. If it is educational information, or integration at schools, then we ought to target that.' With 20,000 migrants becoming new citizens each year, Mr Seah then suggested rewarding such parents with some form of baby bonus when they have a new Singapore baby. 'I have made the argument for national integration with new Singaporeans on the basis that they are members of the same team,' he stressed.
