Many Yahoo! Answers users feel PM Lee’s National Day Rally
addressed all their key concerns but some felt more
had to be done to study the long-term impact
of foreign immigrants into the country.
That sums up the views of over 130 Answers users who
responded to a question on Yahoo! Answers,
“What are your thoughts on this year’s National Day Rally?”
In his National Day Rally speech on Sunday, PM Lee
Hsien Loong addressed four key issues — the economy,
immigration, education and the Singaporean spirit. He also
announced that the government would slow down the intake of
immigrants to 80,000 instead of 100,000 this year.
And although some respondents welcomed the government’s
announcement, others remain concerned over the policy’s long-term
impact.
User Cocoon, said that “Suddenly I feel like a
foreigner in my own country. Too many of them in too short a time.
Maybe it is time that they should stop taking in new
immigrants.”
Answers user, Lawrence said more had to
be done to educate immigrants on the local culture and to
assimilate them into Singapore’s multi-racial community.
“What I am afraid is the loss of our cultural identity with too
many foreigners coming into our country without the proper cultural
education,” he said.
“What many Singaporeans are facing is cultural displacement as
foreigners insists on speaking their own language and forming
sub-cultures within our borders. Just wondering who is assimilating
who and what?… Thankfully, I am bilingual but what about those
people who don’t speak Chinese like our Malay and Indian brothers
and sisters?”, he added.
Other also felt PM Lee failed to address
marginalised groups such as the less fortunate and
handicapped.
“The less fortunate still don’t get better attention and to
share the glory of Singapore’s success,” said
user valiant.
“Unemployed Singaporeans and their future not mentioned. To
upgrade and land a job, or retire, etc. Job creation for this group
of people never mentioned. This is helpful for those who are
currently unemployed or those who will be unemployed when they are
over 40,” said CPFer.
However, there were also those who felt the
speech addressed the key concerns and
fears Singaporeans grapple with daily.
True Repentance called it “one of the
best National Day Rally speeches in years”. He applauded PM Lee for
highlighting ”the Singapore Spirit that was dreamt of and
driven by our forefathers”.
Another user, ME, said his fears were addressed.
“Many of my negative thoughts turned positive after (listening
to) Prime Minister, Mr Lee Hsien Long’s speech,” he said.
“I used to question: ‘Is the influx of foreign workers and
immigrants really necessary?’, ‘Will Singaporean have lesser rights
in future?’, ‘Will the over-crowded train problem be
solved?’ etc. There is some clarity now and I guess we will be
able to see the light at the end of the tunnel,” he added.
Another user, Bibik, said, ”It (the
speech) was well-delivered… he sounded very sincere in his
plans to help further develop and improve Singapore, especially in
overseeing and addressing the concerns of his fellow
Singaporeans. I am particularly touched when he spoke
about making plans to ensure that where education is
concerned, those not academically inclined would have a chance to
succeed.”
Mjbhagwa agreed, saying, “I really appreciate the
thoughts and the plan he put forward on MRT expansion as well
as mitigation steps on rising property costs, especially HDB
housing.”
Another user williamwl, who says he is a Permanent
Resident, also said Singapore citizens should be more appreciative
of what they have.
“No government is ever ideal, just like there is never an ideal
employer in every work place,” he said.
“However, if there’s more pro than cons, and everyone has a safe
roof over their head, safety in the society, a job with decent
income to bring up the family, that’s good enough… I am just
another immigrant , like those mentioned by your PM in his
speech… but an appreciative one. What about you?”
