CITIZENS COME FIRST

We will develop and invest in our peoplethe Singapore team with talent and numbers from abroad., but we also need to reinforce

This is critical to us. Other countries are not only much larger than us, but have far deeper pools of talent than we have. We must make up for the shortage of Singaporean workers in our economy and the shortfall of babies in our population.

Without an inflow, over time our economy and society will lose vibrancy, our citizens will enjoy fewer opportunities, and our shining red dot will grow dimmer.

I understand Singaporeans’ concerns about taking in so many foreign workers and immigrants.

Some of us wonder: Will it change the ethos of our society?

Will it mean more competition for us at work, or for our children in schools? Will the new arrivals strike roots here? Can they adjust to us, and we to them?

These are valid concerns which we must address. We will control the inflow, to ensure that it is not too fast, and not too large. We will only bring in people who can contribute to Singapore, and work harder to integrate them into our society.

And we will make clear that citizens come first. After all, we are doing this for the sake of Singaporeans.

We cannot do without a proportion of foreign workers, or a continuing flow of Permanent Residents and new citizens.

Let us welcome them with an open heart, help them to fit in and encourage those who will become citizens to strike roots here. If we do this well, by the next generation, their children will be native Singaporeans.

Remember, we ourselves are descendants of immigrants too.

Th e Na tional Day message

‘Our goal is for all Singaporeans to enjoy the fruits of growth’

Prime Minister

Lee Hsien Loong

I understand Singaporeans’ concerns about taking in so many foreign workers and immigrants ... these are valid concerns which we must address ... we will make clear that citizens come first.

Foreign Minister George Yeo opens Si ngapore Consulate in BATAM

Foreign Minister George Yeo opened the Singapore Consulate in Batam on Friday, reflecting the deepening ties between Singapore and Batam.

A few thousand Singaporeans and Indonesians travel daily between Singapore and Kepri province in Batam where the consulate is located. The numbers are bound to increase in the coming years, said Mr Yeo.

“With the opening of our Consulate, we will be better able to provide effective and timely consular assistance to Singaporeans in Kepri which will in turn encourage more to come,” said Mr Yeo.

Singapore signed a Framework Agreement on Economic Cooperation with Batam in 2006, strengthening economic ties with the island.