creative writing

TO: Steven Wong, Director of National Youth Council
FROM: Samuel Goh, Assistant Director (Programme Development and Resources)
DATE: April 7, 2011
SUBJECT: Dilution of Singaporean spirit in youth

As you requested on March 11, I bring to you the findings of my investigation into the recent concern about foreign talent as well as dilution of Singaporean spirit among the young Singaporean.

Lately there have been cases of unhappiness about the increase in number of foreigners in Singapore. One incident was after a speech from Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, a student raise a sentiment, which he believe that there is a dilution in Singaporean spirit among the youth. Trawling through internet forum and blog, I notice that there is increasing entries, which touch on the issue on the influx of foreigner, mostly in a negative light. I also conducted interviews with students from various tertiary institutions.

Many felt that foreign talents are a threat to fellow Singaporeans. Some common ground sentiments include:

1) Singaporeans’ job is now under threat from foreign talent.
2) Foreigners are bringing their culture over to Singapore
3) Singaporeans are losing our sense of belonging and identity.
4) Foreigners do not contribute to the country.
5) Foreigners will earn their money and leave Singapore when they have earned enough.
6) Foreigners do not need to serve NS yet they still get to enjoy the benefits of a Singaporean citizen.
7) Singaporeans are already facing limited housing as well as congested traffic, the influx of foreigner probably makes it worse.

Influx of foreigner

According to National Population Secretariat, et al, 2010:

1) From 2007 to 2008, there was an increase of 19% of non-resident population.
2) From 2008 to 2009, there was an increase of 11.5% of PRs and 4.8% of non resident population.



According to Singapore Department of Statistics, 31 Aug 2010:


Time Series on Population (Mid-Year Estimates)

Year Total Population ('000) Singapore Residents ('000)

1960 1,646.4
1961 1,702.4
1962 1,750.2
1963 1,795.0
1964 1,841.6
1965 1,886.9
1966 1,934.4
1967 1,977.6
1968 2,012.0
1969 2,042.5
1970 (Census) 2,074.5 2,013.6
1971 2,112.9
1972 2,152.4
1973 2,193.0
1974 2,229.8
1975 2,262.6
1976 2,293.3
1977 2,325.3
1978 2,353.6
1979 2,383.5
1980 (Census) 2,413.9 2,282.1
1981 2,532.8 2,324.4
1982 2,646.5 2,365.7
1983 2,681.1 2,406.2
1984 2,732.2 2,443.7
1985 2,736.0 2,482.6
1986 2,733.4 2,518.6
1987 2,774.8 2,553.9
1988 2,846.1 2,598.5
1989 2,930.9 2,647.6
1990 (Census) 3,047.1 2,735.9
1991 3,135.1 2,794.7
1992 3,230.7 2,849.8
1993 3,313.5 2,904.5
1994 3,419.0 2,959.4
1995 3,524.5 3,013.5
1996 3,670.7 3,068.1
1997 3,796.0 3,123.4
1998 3,927.2 3,180.0
1999 3,958.7 3,229.7
2000 (Census) 4,027.9 3,273.4
2001 4,138.0 3,325.9
2002 4,176.0 3,382.9
2003 4,114.8 3,366.9
2004 4,166.7 3,413.3
2005 4,265.8 3,467.8
2006 4,401.4 3,525.9
2007 4,588.6 3,583.1
2008 4,839.4 3,642.7
2009 4,987.6 3,733.9
2010 (Census) 5,076.7 3,771.7
Source: Singapore Department of Statistics

Notes:
1. Data for 1980 and earlier Censuses refer to all persons present in Singapore and enumerated on Census Day. Data from 2000 onwards are based on the register-based approach. Data from 2003 - 2007 have been revised with effect from Feb 2008.


2. Total population comprises Singapore residents and non-residents. Resident population comprises Singapore citizens and permanent residents.


Last updated: 31 Aug 2010 Extracted from www.singstat.gov.sg


From the statistic above we can see the gradual increase of foreigner over the years. I would like to highlight particularly from 2005-2010, there is a jump of about half a million foreigner in a space of 5 years. Given Singapore size and relatively small population, Singaporeans would definitely felt the impact of such an influx of foreigners, be it education, transport, food, housing, and language. It is also at this period of time the government policy on foreign talent came into the spotlight.

Why Singapore needs foreign talent or workers?

1) Aging population

There are many reasons for the cause of aging population:
- Singaporeans choosing to remains single
- Married couple prefers to enjoy life and have children at a later age
- Due to high living costs, many couple prefer to have 1 children

Singapore needed young foreigner to offset the aging population, in order to support the economy in years to come.

2) Foreign Talent

Singapore does not have any natural resources, we rely a lot on our population to drive upon our economy. Singapore is heading into R&D hub, which will attract many companies to invest in Singapore. We would require the expertise as well as skill set of specially trained foreign talent. The exchange of skill and expertise will value add to our workforce. When our workforce are well equip with the required skill set, this will create job opportunity for our own population.

3) Foreign Worker

There are also certain jobs that Singaporeans are not keen to take up. E.g. Cleaners, domestic workers and hard laborers. Thus we relies alot on foreign to take up these jobs.

Another reason for importing foreign worker is to make Singapore a competitive market. Foreign workers will lower the operating cost for company, thus encouraging companies start up and investment from both local and oversea. As there are more investment and companies start up, there is bound to increase in job opportunity for our own people.

Recommendation

It is important that foreigners are able to blend into our Singapore culture. Instead of coming together and congregating into their own group and culture. It would be good if they can learn about our culture and blend into it. Singapore is never a racist country, most of the Singaporeans does not look at the skin color, as long they accept us, we accept them. Among the people that I interviewed, some mention that they have close friends who are from China, India, Malaysia, Indonesia and also Europe

Singaporeans should also open minded to accept culture from other countries and accept them as part of our population. I believe that the government, school as well media should all play a part in conveying a message across.

At school level, they should organize cultural exchange. This will increase understanding as well as exposure to culture from different countries.

Government should also shed some light on the reason for making certain key policies. Many people do not know about the factors contributing to the government policies, thus they tend to see things in negative light. Media, newspaper and radio, could be one of the channels that they could use.
Summary

We need foreigners, foreigners needs us. Singapore could provide a good living environment as well as good education to the foreigners. Foreigners can also contribute to Singapore’s economy as well as productivity. The key will be striking the balance between the number of foreigner as well as the speed they can integrate into Singapore population. This will prevent the dilution of Singaporean Spirit and make Singapore a better place to stay for everyone.

























Reference

National Population Secretariat, Prime Minister’s Office, Singapore Department of Statistics, Ministry of Community Development, Youth & Sports, Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration & Checkpoints Authority, POPULATION IN BRIEF 2010, Singstat, 2010, http://www.singstat.gov.sg/stats/themes/people/popinbrief2010.pdf, accessed 7th April 2011

Singapore Department of Statistics, Time Series on Population (Mid-Year Estimates) 31 Aug 2010, http://www.singstat.gov.sg/stats/themes/people/hist/popn.html, accessed 7th April 2011

Forums and blogs which I have researched from:

http://www.nowhere.per.sg/?p=1045
http://www.sgforums.com/forums/8/topics/111751
http://politics.sgforums.com/forums/2155/topics/363342?page=1
http://www.singapore-window.org/80301for.htm
http://www.singapore21.org.sg/art_talent.html