I refer to the Editorial “Ms Fu: 20K new citizens, 30K PRs added last year” (TR Emeritus, Mar 5).
20,000 new citizens, 30,000 new PRs
It states that “Through births and immigration, Singapore’s citizen population grew by 0.9% to 3.31 million. Some 20,000 foreigners were also granted Singapore citizenship last year.
“These (new citizens) were assessed to be to be able to contribute and integrate well into our society,” Ms Fu said.
In addition, about 30,000 permanent residences were granted to foreigners last year to “mitigate the shrinking and ageing of our citizen population”, she added.”
New citizens and PRs’ numbers missing in newspaper report?
When I read the report on the Minister’s above speech in Parliament, in the Straits Times of 6 March – “Government keeping eye on growth of population” – I was surprised that there was no mention of the 20,000 new citizens and 30,000 PRs granted last year.
Given the fact the the report was a fairly long one – about a fifth of a page and the longest report on the Parliamentary proceedings for that particular page of the newspaper (page B8 Home: Budget Debate) – the omission of the new citizen and PRs’ statistics is arguably, quite a glaring one.
“Omitted” statistics reported in Today and CNA?
In contrast, these “omitted” statistics were reported in Today and Channel NewsAsia.
Increase in pace of immigration?
These “omitted” statistics are arguably, quite significant – because it indicates that there has been no slowdown – but an increase in immigration in the last 3 years.
New citizens granted was 15,777, 20,693 and 20,000 for 2011, 2012 and 2013, respectively.
For new PRs granted, it was 27,521, 29,891 and 30,000, respectively.
New citizens grew 27%?
So, what it means is that new citizens and PRs granted grew by 27 and 9% respectively, comparing 2013 to 2011. From 2012 to 2013, the pace of growth continued with about the same number of new citizens and PRs granted for these 2 years.
Population White Paper not “target”?
Hence, whatever happened to all the assurances that the Population White Paper was not a “target”, “projection”, etc?
Rhetoric vs the numbers?
Also, the above computed increase in immigration does not seem to gel with the full text of the subject Minister’s speech on 5 March in Parliament, which is in the National Population and Talent Division’s (NPTD) web site – “As committed in the Population White Paper, we have embarked on a new strategic direction in our population policies to bring about this slower and more sustainable pace of population growth. Our goal is that Singapore continues to be an endearing home, and a good place for Singaporeans to live, work and play”.
- Where is the “we have embarked on a new strategic direction in our population policies to bring about this slower and more sustainable pace of population growth“?
The “words” do not seem to match the “statistics”.
Immigration has accelerated?
Apparently, despite the consistent rhetoric and assurances – the relentless pace of immigration seems to not only be not curtailed or slowed – but has accelerated.
By the way, Singapore’s Press Freedom ranking has dropped another notch, to 150th in the world.
Leong Sze Hian
*Leong is the Past President of the Society of Financial Service Professionals, an alumnus of Harvard University, has authored 4 books, quoted over 1500 times in the media , has been host of a money radio show, a daily newspaper column, Wharton Fellow, SEACeM Fellow, columnist for Malaysiakini, executive producer of the movie Ilo Ilo (24 international awards). He has served as Honorary Consul of Jamaica and founding advisor to the Financial Planning Associations of Brunei and Indonesia. He has 3 Masters, 2 Bachelors and 13 professional qualifications.