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Avoid 'irrational fears'
Apr 4, 2010
By Jennani Durai
Mrs Lim Hwee Hua, who is also the Second Minister for Finance and Transport, said Singaporeans ought to prepare for, rather than resist, an increased willingess among people world wide to travel and relocate. -- ST PHOTO: DESMOND LIM
THE Minister in the Prime Minister's Office on Sunday acknowledged Singaporeans' concern over immigration issues, but urged them to avoid 'developing irrational fears' towards new immigrants.
Mrs Lim Hwee Hua, who is also the Second Minister for Finance and Transport, said Singaporeans ought to prepare for, rather than resist, an increased willingess among people world wide to travel and relocate.
That the people are concerned over the effect of immigration on employment or on the social fabric here should not be dismissed lightly, she said, because 'this shows that Singaporeans are concerned about how and where Singapore is heading'.
She was speaking at the first anniversary celebration of Crossroads, a weekly section of Singapore Press Holdings' Chinese language daily Lianhe Zaobao featuring new immigrants and citizens.
Immigration issues present the same challenges elsewhere, although to varying degrees, she noted, adding that this was to be expected as the world became more globalised. She pointed out that Singapore itself had grown out of a society of immigrants from different birth countries, who had contributed to the 'colour and vibrancy to our country'.
The Government would continue to put the interests of Singaporeans ahead of non-citizens as a matter of policy, she stressed.
Apr 4, 2010
By Jennani Durai
Mrs Lim Hwee Hua, who is also the Second Minister for Finance and Transport, said Singaporeans ought to prepare for, rather than resist, an increased willingess among people world wide to travel and relocate. -- ST PHOTO: DESMOND LIM
THE Minister in the Prime Minister's Office on Sunday acknowledged Singaporeans' concern over immigration issues, but urged them to avoid 'developing irrational fears' towards new immigrants.
Mrs Lim Hwee Hua, who is also the Second Minister for Finance and Transport, said Singaporeans ought to prepare for, rather than resist, an increased willingess among people world wide to travel and relocate.
That the people are concerned over the effect of immigration on employment or on the social fabric here should not be dismissed lightly, she said, because 'this shows that Singaporeans are concerned about how and where Singapore is heading'.
She was speaking at the first anniversary celebration of Crossroads, a weekly section of Singapore Press Holdings' Chinese language daily Lianhe Zaobao featuring new immigrants and citizens.
Immigration issues present the same challenges elsewhere, although to varying degrees, she noted, adding that this was to be expected as the world became more globalised. She pointed out that Singapore itself had grown out of a society of immigrants from different birth countries, who had contributed to the 'colour and vibrancy to our country'.
The Government would continue to put the interests of Singaporeans ahead of non-citizens as a matter of policy, she stressed.
