<TABLE id=msgUN border=0 cellSpacing=3 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD id=msgUNsubj vAlign=top>Coffeeshop Chit Chat - Vivian:we'll ensure citizen benefit more</TD><TD id=msgunetc noWrap align=right>
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<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->GOVERNMENT ministries and agencies are looking at ways to make a clearer distinction between the benefits given to citizens and to permanent residents, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan disclosed yesterday.
'We are looking at this whole issue of calibrating the differences, so Singaporeans can see in concrete terms what it means to come first,' said the Community Development, Youth and Sports Minister.
'Foreigners in our midst will still feel a sense of welcome, but they must understand that they cannot demand the same privileges that come with membership. This is something we have to keep calibrating with time.'
His remarks came a day after Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong told students at a dialogue that a 'sharper' differentiation will be made in how the Government treats citizens and permanent residents.
The changes will reflect the responsibilities and privileges that come with citizenship.
Dr Balakrishnan did not indicate any timeframe for the changes but said yesterday that each ministry was reviewing 'its suite of programmes, services, charges (and) fees'.
The review is being undertaken even as a council chaired by Dr Balakrishnan released recommendations on how to better integrate immigrants and Singaporeans.
One thing the National Integration Council would like to see is more foreigners eventually taking up citizenship.
Making clear the difference in treatment between PRs and citizens, as well as the benefits of being a citizen, could also show PRs that there are gains to be made in becoming a Singaporean.
Dr Balakrishnan cited two examples of policies which favoured Singaporeans.
One is the HDB upgrading programme, whereby citizens receive sizeable subsidies compared to PRs, who have to pay the full cost of the upgrading.
The other is the baby bonus scheme. Given to Singaporean couples, it aims to encourage them to have babies by easing the financial burden of parents.
[email protected]
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<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->GOVERNMENT ministries and agencies are looking at ways to make a clearer distinction between the benefits given to citizens and to permanent residents, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan disclosed yesterday.
'We are looking at this whole issue of calibrating the differences, so Singaporeans can see in concrete terms what it means to come first,' said the Community Development, Youth and Sports Minister.
'Foreigners in our midst will still feel a sense of welcome, but they must understand that they cannot demand the same privileges that come with membership. This is something we have to keep calibrating with time.'
His remarks came a day after Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong told students at a dialogue that a 'sharper' differentiation will be made in how the Government treats citizens and permanent residents.
The changes will reflect the responsibilities and privileges that come with citizenship.
Dr Balakrishnan did not indicate any timeframe for the changes but said yesterday that each ministry was reviewing 'its suite of programmes, services, charges (and) fees'.
The review is being undertaken even as a council chaired by Dr Balakrishnan released recommendations on how to better integrate immigrants and Singaporeans.
One thing the National Integration Council would like to see is more foreigners eventually taking up citizenship.
Making clear the difference in treatment between PRs and citizens, as well as the benefits of being a citizen, could also show PRs that there are gains to be made in becoming a Singaporean.
Dr Balakrishnan cited two examples of policies which favoured Singaporeans.
One is the HDB upgrading programme, whereby citizens receive sizeable subsidies compared to PRs, who have to pay the full cost of the upgrading.
The other is the baby bonus scheme. Given to Singaporean couples, it aims to encourage them to have babies by easing the financial burden of parents.
[email protected]
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