Nov 8, 2009
Immigrants can be like us
SM notes Singaporeans' unease over influx of foreigners but believes they can enrich society
By Cai Haoxiang
When he attended a Deepavali event recently, Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong was struck by how several young children of permanent residents (PRs) from India could easily pass as Singaporeans.
Two weeks ago, when he visited his ancestral village in Wuling in China's Fujian province, he realised that although he could trace his roots 17 generations back to the year 1403, there was no doubt that he himself was a Singaporean, and regarded by the Chinese villagers not as a returning Chinese national, but as a visiting Singaporean leader.
Recounting the events at a grassroots event on Sarurday night, Mr Goh said: 'These two experiences tell me that new immigrants to Singapore can become Singaporeans in outlook and loyalty within a generation.'
Mr Goh was at the Deepa Thirunal dinner celebrations at the Braddell Heights Community Club, attended by 1,000 residents from the Marine Parade Group Representation Constituency (GRC) and the single-seat wards of MacPherson and Potong Pasir.
Singaporeans, Mr Goh noted, have been uneasy about the influx of large numbers of foreigners, as they fear being crowded out of the property market, choice schools and jobs.
Some foreigners are also perceived to be taking advantage of Singapore's opportunities and services, while not giving back to the community or doing national service, he said.
Immigrants can be like us
SM notes Singaporeans' unease over influx of foreigners but believes they can enrich society
By Cai Haoxiang
When he attended a Deepavali event recently, Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong was struck by how several young children of permanent residents (PRs) from India could easily pass as Singaporeans.
Two weeks ago, when he visited his ancestral village in Wuling in China's Fujian province, he realised that although he could trace his roots 17 generations back to the year 1403, there was no doubt that he himself was a Singaporean, and regarded by the Chinese villagers not as a returning Chinese national, but as a visiting Singaporean leader.
Recounting the events at a grassroots event on Sarurday night, Mr Goh said: 'These two experiences tell me that new immigrants to Singapore can become Singaporeans in outlook and loyalty within a generation.'
Mr Goh was at the Deepa Thirunal dinner celebrations at the Braddell Heights Community Club, attended by 1,000 residents from the Marine Parade Group Representation Constituency (GRC) and the single-seat wards of MacPherson and Potong Pasir.
Singaporeans, Mr Goh noted, have been uneasy about the influx of large numbers of foreigners, as they fear being crowded out of the property market, choice schools and jobs.
Some foreigners are also perceived to be taking advantage of Singapore's opportunities and services, while not giving back to the community or doing national service, he said.
