With Singapore’s demographics being altered radically over the
last few years due to the relentless influx of foreigners, PAP
leaders have been emphasizing the importance of racial and
religious harmony in recent weeks, the latest being Deputy Prime
Minister Teo Chee Hean.
Speaking at a community event in Pasir Ris yesterday, DPM Teo
called on Singaporeans to strive to be part of the “common space”
they share with one another.
“Each community in Singapore must be allowed to have its own
space to practise its culture, traditions and beliefs. But we must
subscribe to a wider common space among all of us, where we come
together as Singaporeans, regardless of what our race, language or
beliefs are,” DPM Teo was quoted as saying in the Straits
Times.
He noted Singapore’s history as an immigrant society and said
that this is “the kind of Singapore that we want to build, where
people find their own space and their comfort level and they feel
at home here.”
PAP leaders have often used the fact that Singaporeans’
forefathers are immigrants too to exhort them to accept more
foreigners into Singapore.
The PAP’s liberal immigration and pro-foreigner policies have
become increasingly unpopular among Singaporeans and could cost
them some votes in the next general election.
According to a recent Wall Street Journal editorial, the
relentless influx of foreigners into Singapore has depressed the
wages of ordinary Singaporeans, increased the cost of living and
led to an overall decline in the quality of life.
Despite the widespread unhappiness on the ground, the PAP has
continued to insist that foreigners are “essential” for
Singapore.
TR
