December 30, 2009
A grassroots organization from Hong Kah GRC has started free
English classes - “Let’s learn English together”, funded
entirely by Singapore taxpayers for new citizens and PRs two months
ago.
The three-month course is catered mainly to new citizens and PRs
from China, Myanmar and Vietnam and are held every Monday at Choa
Chu Kang Way Blk 785 Yew Tee Zone ‘9″ Residents’ Committee
office.
Singapore is the only country in the world known to conduct free
English courses for immigrants and even PRs.
In other countries like Australia, Canada and United States,
foreigners who cannot speak English are not even qualified to find
work there in the first place.
Due to its declining birth rates, the ruling party of Singapore
has opened its door to immigration in recent years. Foreigners now
make up 36 per cent of the population, up from 14 per cent in
1990.
According to the Home Affairs Ministry, there were over 20,000
new citizens and 90,000 PRs last year. Two out of every three PR
applicants are successful, an astonishingly high acceptance rate
for a small country like Singapore.
Unlike other first world countries who are very selective about
who they accept as PRs, it appears to be relatively easy for
foreigners to get PRs in Singapore especially if they come from
certain countries.
Even construction workers, cleaners and masseurs are given
Singapore PR and citizenship, much to the chagrin of the local
populace.
Despite widespread resentment and anger on the ground at the
ruling party’s pro-foreigner policy, its leaders continue to insist
that immigration is “essential” to Singapore’s continued growth and
development.
In a frank interview with journalist Mark Jacobson from the
National Geographic magazine, Singapore’s geriatrician leader Lee
Kuan Yew spoke about the ruling party’s liberal immigration
and pro-foreigner policies as if he was their principal
architect.
Though Lee said he was aware of the fact that “many
Singaporeans are unhappy with the influx of immigrants”, he
continued to insist that it is for “good” of the nation:
“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.
Lee 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.
It is obvious that Singapore’s ruling party does not care how
the locals are coping with the relentless influx of foreigners. In
fact, it is more than happy to welcome more newcomers to increase
its support base for future elections since new citizens will tend
to support the ruling party.
The ruling party has been going all out of its way to woo the
new citizens and PRs such as organizing free parties, buffets and
language classes for them. They are also roped in to “serve” as
grassroots leaders.
The language course organized by Yew Tee Zone “9″ RC for the new
citizens and PRs is probably funded by the $10 million Community
Integration Fund unveiled by Minister of Community, Youth and
Sports Dr Vivian Balakrishnan lately to make the newcomers feel
“welcomed” in Singapore.
While the ruling party has no qualms splurging on the new
citizens using public monies, it has blatantly refused to do more
to help needy Singaporeans in financial distress.
After all, there is no political pressure for it to do so
since there is no opposition in parliament and it is guaranteed to
win the next election hands down again.