February 19, 2010
Caught off guard by the rising public anger against its
misguided immigration and pro-foreigner policies, the ruling party
has been fire-fighting for the last few weeks to appease
Singaporeans by introducing last-minute cosmetic changes to
“sharpen the distinction between citizens and PRs.”
One of its chief architects and proponents of a disastrous plan
to boost Singapore’s population to 6.5 million people, Singapore’s
octogenarian strongman Lee Kuan Yew has made an amazing U-turn yet
again.
In a speech made to Tanjong Pagar residents lately, Lee now said
that Singapore citizens and PRs have received “very different
treatment in government policies” and urged Singaporeans not to
forget the “contributions” that foreigners have made to the
economy.
He tried to fend off criticisms that the government has
backtracked on its immigration policy now by explaining that the
inflow of foreigners was being moderated now and not earlier
because “they were needed for the building of the two integrated
resorts, which will create more jobs for Singaporeans, draw
tourists and boost the economy.”
“When you grumble about the workers, remember they do the
heavy work for us. Without them, we would not be here.” he
added.
However, besides blue collar workers, there is an
increasing number of foreigners who are taking up jobs which can
otherwise be filled by Singaporeans such as the PMETs.
According to a Wall Street Journal editorial, the relentless
influx of foreigners into Singapore had depressed the wages of
ordinary Singaporeans, increased the cost of living, especially
that of public housing, decreased labor productivity and led to an
overall decline in the standards of living.
Singapore’s GDP growth in the last few years was fueled largely
by the availability of cheap foreign labor which keeps business
costs low, thereby inflating the growth figures artificially.
A certain percentage of Singapore ministers’ multi-million
dollar salary is pegged to GDP growth – the higher the growth, the
more money they bring home.
At the same time, Singapore’s income gap between the rich and
the poor has widened considerably. It is quite obvious that the
economic gains “contributed” by foreigners are not shared equally
across the population – the rich has become richer while the poor
has become poorer.
Lee also called on Singaporeans to bear with the inconveniences
or competition for space on buses, MRT trains, even in schools with
foreigners as if the “the Government were to reduce the flow too
much, the economy would slow and this would lead to property prices
and incomes going down.”
‘We always give preference to our own citizens,” he
added.
The ruling party appears to be completely clueless on how to
lead Singapore in the next lap of development and is unwilling to
wean off its perennial addiction to foreign workers.
Singaporeans should not be hoodwinked by Lee’s latest “wayang”
to pull a wool over their eyes again.
Let us recall what he said in an interview with the National
Geographic magazine only a few months ago:
“Over time, Singaporeans have become less hard-driving and
hard-striving. This is why it is a good thing that the nation has
welcomed so many Chinese immigrants.” Lee was quoted
saying.
He described the country’s new subjects as “hungry,” with
parents who “pushed the children very hard.”
“If native Singaporeans are falling behind because the spurs
are not stuck into the hide, that is their problem,” he
quipped.
[Source: The
Singapore Solution]
http://www.temasekreview.com/2010/02/19/mm-lee-urges-singaporeans-to-bear-with-competition-with-foreigners/