BG Tan Chuan Jin is probably the most talked about PAP MP, being heavily promoted as the agent of change and someone in touch with the pulse of the people. He offers hope of renewal, much like Vivian Balakrishnan's first entry into Parliament. I had earlier expressed reservation as he could well be the next Anakin Skywalker, just like VB himself.
He had just posted a commentary on FTs, defending the justification behind the policy. He fails to acknowledge the social and infrastructure problems behind the massive surge in the FT population. I must say I am disappointed with this post of his. I have outlined his FB post in SithRed.
At the same time, I came across a charming letter from Chen Show Mao to a 12 year old in Aljunied GRC. It is very refreshing, although simple, shows a man that is without airs or pretense. With a genuine agenda for change. I have outlined CSM's post in JediBlue. I leave it to the forum to see if there is a difference between the intent of these two elected members of parliament.
TAN CHUAN JIN
Having foreign workers, talents etc in Singapore is not new. We have always been open to those who come to our shores to seek a living or to make this place home. My grandparents came here from China and Malaysia. As do many of your forefathers. I wonder how many of you on this FB are New Singaporeans or are second generation Singaporeans? Kee chiu!
These topic matters because we need to ask ourselves if they play a role in Singapore's development? What do you think? Should we tighten the tap significantly? What is the impact of that? What will we lose if we begin to go down that path?
I believe most of you do not see this as a zero sum game or are advocating zero foreigners here. It is a question of numbers, and also whether we do enough for Singaporeans.
I hope you are all aware that for a number of sectors, we have quotas that favour Singaporeans. Many companies esp SMEs are finding it tough as many Singaporeans are not interested in the jobs in these sectors. Costs would go up when supply is constricted (I know this is a simple generalisation). I do realise that in PMET circles, the situation is different and some of you have indicated to me that there needs to be more pro-Singaporeans approach. Concerns also abound about places in schools, especially in our Universities.
I am someone who believes that as people, we should treat others well. I have lived and trained abroad many a times, and have often encountered racist and less than friendly attitudes. It colours my experiences there. How we treat our foreign friends here...should it matter? Even if some move on to other countries or back home, if they felt welcomed here and made good friends, they would be good ambassadors and friends of Singapore...expanding our 'guanxi' further. Some will stay, as our grandparents and parents did, and they will labour and fight along side all of us as Singaporeans.
You will realise that this is a wide-ranging topic and I will probably start sub-threads and notes on this. Will also explore dialogues with you and interested parties on this so that we can all better understand the landscape we are in.
I will say this though. All policies are introduced because we believe that this is right for Singaporeans, for Singapore, and for our future. But no policy captures everything perfectly so your views and ideas matter about what to adjust, tweak and to strengthen.
Thanks in advance!
http://www.facebook.com/notes/tan-chuan-jin/foreign-workersimmigrationmatters/199863000056483
CHEN SHOW MAO
Dear Soon Chow,
Thanks for coming to my first MPS and giving me the opportunity to learn about you and what you care about.
While you may not feel it yet, the future of our country is in your hands and those of other young Singaporeans. What life will be like for us, how we will live with our neighbors, how we will feel about ourselves, will more and more depend on the decisions you make -- on what you do and how you live.
Sounds like a big responsibility, a great load, doesn't it -- not just a load of something..., but a load in itself. And there is really no getting around it or away from it -- we have the power to affect the lives of the people around us.
But that doesn't mean you shouldn't have fun, of course. I plan to. And I think I'd be fine if I just remember to use my head, have a heart and have courage.
All best,
Show Mao
http://www.facebook.com/notes/chen-show-mao/letter-to-soon-chow/156667194398549
He had just posted a commentary on FTs, defending the justification behind the policy. He fails to acknowledge the social and infrastructure problems behind the massive surge in the FT population. I must say I am disappointed with this post of his. I have outlined his FB post in SithRed.
At the same time, I came across a charming letter from Chen Show Mao to a 12 year old in Aljunied GRC. It is very refreshing, although simple, shows a man that is without airs or pretense. With a genuine agenda for change. I have outlined CSM's post in JediBlue. I leave it to the forum to see if there is a difference between the intent of these two elected members of parliament.
TAN CHUAN JIN
Having foreign workers, talents etc in Singapore is not new. We have always been open to those who come to our shores to seek a living or to make this place home. My grandparents came here from China and Malaysia. As do many of your forefathers. I wonder how many of you on this FB are New Singaporeans or are second generation Singaporeans? Kee chiu!
These topic matters because we need to ask ourselves if they play a role in Singapore's development? What do you think? Should we tighten the tap significantly? What is the impact of that? What will we lose if we begin to go down that path?
I believe most of you do not see this as a zero sum game or are advocating zero foreigners here. It is a question of numbers, and also whether we do enough for Singaporeans.
I hope you are all aware that for a number of sectors, we have quotas that favour Singaporeans. Many companies esp SMEs are finding it tough as many Singaporeans are not interested in the jobs in these sectors. Costs would go up when supply is constricted (I know this is a simple generalisation). I do realise that in PMET circles, the situation is different and some of you have indicated to me that there needs to be more pro-Singaporeans approach. Concerns also abound about places in schools, especially in our Universities.
I am someone who believes that as people, we should treat others well. I have lived and trained abroad many a times, and have often encountered racist and less than friendly attitudes. It colours my experiences there. How we treat our foreign friends here...should it matter? Even if some move on to other countries or back home, if they felt welcomed here and made good friends, they would be good ambassadors and friends of Singapore...expanding our 'guanxi' further. Some will stay, as our grandparents and parents did, and they will labour and fight along side all of us as Singaporeans.
You will realise that this is a wide-ranging topic and I will probably start sub-threads and notes on this. Will also explore dialogues with you and interested parties on this so that we can all better understand the landscape we are in.
I will say this though. All policies are introduced because we believe that this is right for Singaporeans, for Singapore, and for our future. But no policy captures everything perfectly so your views and ideas matter about what to adjust, tweak and to strengthen.
Thanks in advance!
http://www.facebook.com/notes/tan-chuan-jin/foreign-workersimmigrationmatters/199863000056483
CHEN SHOW MAO
Dear Soon Chow,
Thanks for coming to my first MPS and giving me the opportunity to learn about you and what you care about.
While you may not feel it yet, the future of our country is in your hands and those of other young Singaporeans. What life will be like for us, how we will live with our neighbors, how we will feel about ourselves, will more and more depend on the decisions you make -- on what you do and how you live.
Sounds like a big responsibility, a great load, doesn't it -- not just a load of something...
, but a load in itself. And there is really no getting around it or away from it -- we have the power to affect the lives of the people around us.But that doesn't mean you shouldn't have fun, of course. I plan to. And I think I'd be fine if I just remember to use my head, have a heart and have courage.
All best,
Show Mao
http://www.facebook.com/notes/chen-show-mao/letter-to-soon-chow/156667194398549
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