[h=1]SDP, NSP raise concerns on Population White Paper
Singapolitics
Thursday, Jan 31, 2013
Two opposition parties have expressed concern about the Government's white paper released on Tuesday, focusing in particular on projections that the population could hit 6.9 million by 2030.[/h]
The Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) said this number was "extremely worrying", saying there were "no justifiable reasons" for it.
In a statement on Wednesday, it said: "The population explosion will cause further economic, social and psychological stress for the people, as well as add to national security implications."
SDP noted that the Government wants to maintain a strong Singaporean core, create good jobs for Singaporeans and provide citizens with a higher quality of life but said that the current population of 5.3 million, of which a third are foreigners, shows it has not maintained a strong Singaporean core.
Citing various international surveys, it pointed out that Singaporeans work long hours while real incomes have declined, and purchasing power parity and the happiness of the population are among the lowest worldwide.
"For the sake of a safe and secure Singapore, the Government must rethink its population policy," it said, adding that the SDP will release policy alternatives soon.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, the National Solidarity Party said the population increase would "likely to further depress our fertility rate, creating a vicious cycle". It proposed a keener focus on improving the fertility rate, and limiting the number of foreign workers, to grow the economy with minimal social problems.
It plans to present its ideas on Friday evening in a press conference. The Reform Party has also called a press conference today to give its response to the white paper.
Parliament will debate the paper on Monday.
Singapolitics
Thursday, Jan 31, 2013
Two opposition parties have expressed concern about the Government's white paper released on Tuesday, focusing in particular on projections that the population could hit 6.9 million by 2030.[/h]
The Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) said this number was "extremely worrying", saying there were "no justifiable reasons" for it.
In a statement on Wednesday, it said: "The population explosion will cause further economic, social and psychological stress for the people, as well as add to national security implications."
SDP noted that the Government wants to maintain a strong Singaporean core, create good jobs for Singaporeans and provide citizens with a higher quality of life but said that the current population of 5.3 million, of which a third are foreigners, shows it has not maintained a strong Singaporean core.
Citing various international surveys, it pointed out that Singaporeans work long hours while real incomes have declined, and purchasing power parity and the happiness of the population are among the lowest worldwide.
"For the sake of a safe and secure Singapore, the Government must rethink its population policy," it said, adding that the SDP will release policy alternatives soon.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, the National Solidarity Party said the population increase would "likely to further depress our fertility rate, creating a vicious cycle". It proposed a keener focus on improving the fertility rate, and limiting the number of foreign workers, to grow the economy with minimal social problems.
It plans to present its ideas on Friday evening in a press conference. The Reform Party has also called a press conference today to give its response to the white paper.
Parliament will debate the paper on Monday.
