THE Government hears and understands Singaporeans' concerns about the influx of immigrants in recent years, Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng said yesterday.
So it has refined the requirements for permanent residents (PRs) and new citizens, even as it continues to take them in to top up Singapore's declining population, he told Parliament.
As one indication, there were 59,500 new PRs last year, down from 79,200 in 2008, and 19,900 new citizens, compared to 20,500 a year ago.
'I know that this is a matter which Singaporeans care deeply about, and rightly so, as it concerns the value of our citizenship,' he said.
'We will ensure that those who become one of us are of suitable quality, and not only contribute to Singapore economically but also integrate well into our society,' he added.
Mr Wong, who is also Home Affairs Minister and oversees population issues, spoke during the debate on his ministry's plans for the coming financial year.
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