Dear TRS and fellow Singaporeans,
Much has been said and lamented over the foreign influx in recent times, with dire consequences in many areas of our lives. From displaced PMETs, overcrowded trains, shortage of hospital beds to foreign arrogance and dilution of our national identity, ordinary Singaporeans have shouldered the brunt of problems from ill-conceived government policies.
This huge foreign population poses the single greatest existential threat to our nation today.
However, not all is lost. We can save ourselves by starting a sustained campaign to reduce the foreign population by 100 000 immediately with little damage to our economy. The following can be implemented now.
A 5-year breather in accepting PRs and new citizens. The temporary pause will prevent the applicants from bringing their extended families here, most of whom will be economically inactive, further straining our physical and social infrastructure.
Withdraw dependent's pass privileges from all existing work pass holders except those holding Employment Pass P1 so as to sustain the international schools here.However, EP P1 holders can no longer sponsor their parents.
Non-citizen households without young, elderly and handicapped will no longer be able to hire foreign domestic workers. This is a desperate bid to contain the burgeoning population of foreign maids which is so obvious to everyone.
No new passes for 'study mamas' will be issued. A controversial group, most of them are not equipped with the language and skills to contribute economically to this city-state.
No new student passes for foreign students enrolled in private schools.
Although their fees in these private schools (mostly located in older shopping malls) may seem high, the average output of a worker is much higher. Hence, I call for a smaller population of international students instead of the current target of 100 000.
Stop the awarding of scholarship cum living allowance to foreign students, many of whom have developed anti-Singaporean sentiment during the course of their studies here.
Help our unemployed PMEs, especially the older ones, by not granting new/renewals of EPs in the retail industry. This business is entirely dependent on final demand in Singapore. Furthermore, it is a stretch to say that foreign managers/supervisors possess some innate talents which locals cannot duplicate.
I understand the lucrative dollars of being a medical hub. However, our hospitals can barely cope with the increased patient load for many years now. We also need a bigger and regular pool of blood donors. Thus, the Singapore Tourism Board needs to scale down their ambition of 1 million medical tourists. The reduction will reduce the demand for more foreign medical personnel.
I'm a local born Singaporean who works 7 days a week. With limited resources, I can't spread this message far and wide. My petitions to the ruling party's MPs and ministers have failed big time. Only your understanding and sharing of this important message may finally bring this to the national level.
David Ching
TRS Contributor