Singaporeans will always come first: Law Minister

last SG · 2010-01-18T15:54:47+00:00

Another propaganda. Politics and Propaganda is like husband and wife.Winston Churchill 1944

noahnoah SG

SINGAPORE: While Singapore's economic recovery is picking up speed, many Singaporeans remain concerned about issues like jobs and competition from foreigners.

These bread-and-butter issues dominated a two-hour dialogue session in Yew Tee with Law and Second Home Affairs Minister, K Shanmugam, on Sunday.

One after another, residents rose to query the minister on what some perceived to be difficult competition from foreigners.

But the minister explained that Singaporeans will always come first.

Mr Shanmugam said: "We have to start off with the perspective that we have to help Singaporeans first. Singaporeans must have jobs and be able to afford the basic things.

"You've heard the Prime Minister and various members of the Cabinet say that yes, there has been a tightening up in terms of who will be allowed to come into Singapore.

"Foreign workers will come in as needed by the economy and when not needed by the economy, they will go back."

Mr Shanmugam pointed out that at the lower levels, foreigners are taking up the jobs that Singaporeans shun.

Meanwhile at the upper levels, those foreigners coming in ended up improving job prospects for Singaporeans.

Another issue that came up during the dialogue session was the question of enough housing for young couples, especially with the recent Build-To-Order Project in Chua Chu Kang area being over-subscribed.

But Mr Shanmugam didn't think that HDB was building behind the curve.

He said the housing board had to be careful not to flood the market, even as it promises to build up to 12,000 BTO flats this year.

With the integrated resort in Sentosa opening soon, residents wondered if they could have a date with Lady Luck - for free.

"(How about) giving some free entry to these casinos (at Resorts World Sentosa and Marina Bay Sands), especially on National Day? I think most will like it, right?" asked a resident.

But he didn't strike the jackpot with the answer he got.

Mr Shanmugam said: "I hope Singaporeans don't get overly excited about the casinos. I don't think the government can pay for it and say 'free entry'.

"We have put in various safeguards. So, let's see how those safeguards work."

As a social safeguard, Singaporeans and PRs have to pay a levy of $100 per day or $2,000 for an annual membership to enter the casinos.

Before the dialogue, Mr Shanmugam also toured the Yew Tee constituency and mingled with the residents.

During the ministerial walkabout, Mr Shanmugam was asked about the hit-and-run accident at Bukit Panjang that has been linked to Romanian Charge d'Affaires, Silviu Ionescu.

Mr Ionescu, who flew back to Romania a few days after the accident, has been recalled by the Romanian Foreign Ministry. This was to allow the Prosecutor's Office of Romania to investigate into the accident involving the embassy's car which belongs to Mr Ionescu.

The accident on 15 December last year left one person dead and two others injured.

Mr Shanmugam said it is important not to assume guilt, and that the due process of law has to be followed with police conducting a full investigation.

He said: "The next step in the process is for the Attorney-General and his Chambers to look at the evidence presented, to then decide whether or not there is a case to proceed. And he will only proceed if he feels a case can be made out in court with witnesses without reasonable doubt. There is no question in the Singapore context of us not going through the facts carefully or us trying to shield anyone."

- CNA/ir

popikachu SG

Lol

noahnoah SG

that time LHL quoted

very slow slow recovery

now say

While Singapore's economic recovery is picking up speed

he always cant decide one

haiz

skythewood SG

that time LHL quoted

very slow slow recovery

now say

While Singapore's economic recovery is picking up speed

he always cant decide one

haiz

Since he didn't specify how slow is slow, so you can't say he is wrong. That's the trick with all politician.

If you are specific, like Obama, say this say that and didn't deliver, than more jia lat.

Miracles&Prophecies SG

Singapore has a population problem with very low birth rates. Bringing in the foreigners is the only solution for PAP. It's the same situation that the Japanese and Taiwanese are having so I read.

But bringing in foreigners is only a short term solution. They should look for reasons why its population don't want to have more babies. A loosening of hectic life pace, lower cost of living incl housing and more freedom so that free people could live as free people are the needed real long term solution. I think it's time Singaporeans think about having a quality life . . .which is not all about work...you can only push people for so long after all but I guess these PAPers are too afraid losing their attractiveness as a cheap graduate employee spot that they are only demanding work work work. It's easy for them to do so they are paid millions and even the current PM is missing in action so I heard.

Genie99a SG

ztreyier SG

that time LHL quoted

very slow slow recovery

now say

While Singapore's economic recovery is picking up speed

he always cant decide one

haiz

It probably depends on the agenda. If they want to increase their own salary again, of course they have to say economy doing well. If time to cut wages for people, then of course must say economy not that well.

It all depends on the agenda for that day and they will change the story to fit it.

Different people at different times, they will say different things. For example in early years lky will say values of national pledge is important, but later when people really start to take the pledge seriously , democratic society etc, he will say pledge is not serious thing.

Or before come to power. talk about democracy, socialism, after came to power, to hell with democracy and socialism.

When it comes to PAP and lky, only political morons would believe in their words. Unless they are talking about increasing their own salary. Then for sure they will increase.

Johnreturn35 SG

ict

ippt

for singapore men

ztreyier SG

If you are specific, like Obama, say this say that and didn't deliver, than more jia lat.

I'll take Obama rather than a lying spineless hypocritical bastard with no integrity.

Problem is Obama is also a liar.

ztreyier SG

A lot of bullshit from PAP now, elections is near. The shit will start to flow from PAP from now on.

Nice try law minister.

The only problem is that I am not an idiot.

Mr Chiam's comments also came under fire from two other PAP leaders who turned up at the rally - Trade and Industry Minister Lim Hng Kiang and Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports Vivian Balakrishnan - as well as Mr Sitoh himself.

Mr Balakrishnan noted that, while Mr Chiam's plan would allow Singaporeans to 'pack their bags and travel to Malaysia anytime', it would also allow equal access to Singapore.

'His teammates in the Singapore Democratic Alliance have been saying that foreigners have been taking away jobs from Singaporeans,' Mr Balakrishnan said.

'You want union? You want free entry of people, of foreigners . . . are you really talking about making this place so everyone can come here? No work permits, no employment pass no control? Think again. Think very carefully,' he said.

http://www.asiaone.com/specials/ge2006/news/20060501_story7_1.html

mlmersrlosers SG

we gotta believe him. A law minister is always right. He has above average intelligence.

ztreyier SG

we gotta believe him. A law minister is always right. He has above average intelligence.

You must be a professional executive and I am of course, must be a coffeeshop pundit.

angel7030 SG

that ah neh can make roti prata or not??? talk so much for what...LHL and LKY must had make him a scapegoat for you all to bombard

Johnreturn35 SG

that ah neh can make roti prata or not??? talk so much for what...LHL and LKY must had make him a scapegoat for you all to bombard

i want triangle shape roti prata

angel7030 SG

i want triangle shape roti prata

that one, we need foreign talent from north india to make...so you want to allow them in or not??? alots of them certified professional prata chefs waiting to be deport here, once you agree, Air India will despatch them here, and they will sell their houses and lands there to buy HDB here, want to jack up our HDB prices or not??

Pronewbie SG

I find it ironic that in an article entitled: "Singaporeans will always come first: Law Minister", Shanmugam is quoted saying 'I hope Singaporeans don't get overly excited about the casinos. I don't think the government can pay for it and say 'free entry'.

Obviously, the casino was built not with taxpayer's money, but purely on the wages of government officials and shrewd highly profitable investments by Temasek.

The $100 entry fee for locals is in place only to prevent potential gambling addiction issues - as the well-oiled propaganda machinery has stressed repeatedly in the past few years - and not to fleece us Singaporeans whenever we visit the spectacular casinos built by our government.

I am thankful that our wonderful government, which compromises mainly of PAP party members, have showered us Singaporeans with all their care and thoughts once again. Make no mistake, they have once again stepped up to the plate as election day looms ever closer.

I am confident that people who have read this article will know who to vote for!

mlmersrlosers SG

I am confident that people who have read this article will know who to vote for!

$100 to deter real gamblers??? go genting gamble also need to fork out travel fee mah. propaganda or not u decide

ztreyier SG

I am confident that people who have read this article will know who to vote for!

You are just a coffeeshop pundit. Why should we trust your views?

Johnreturn35 SG

see, you twist my thought

i am just asking only

angel7030 SG

$100 per day leh, so if you go 3 days, it will be $300 leh, me better go cruise, also got casinos on board mah.

But Dear Singaporean,

I dunno if you people learn about logistic, last time, when i took business course on it, the lecturer said, "First in, first out" leh. Meaning if this particular stock come in first, it must go out first by the next order. So hor, i think Ah neh Shamugam is giving you a hint, Singaporeans will alway come first, but he did not carry on to say, Singaporeans will also be the first to go out. So hor, becareful ya.