SINGAPOREANS' concern over immigration issues is understandable but they must avoid developing irrational fears toward new immigrants, Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Lim Hwee Hua said yesterday.
She said Singaporeans ought to prepare for, rather than resist, an increased willingness among people worldwide to travel and relocate.
That the people are concerned over the effect of immigration on employment or on the social fabric here should not be dismissed lightly, she said, because 'this shows that Singaporeans are concerned about how and where Singapore is heading'.
She was speaking at the first anniversary celebration of Crossroads, a weekly section of Singapore Press Holdings' Chinese language daily Lianhe Zaobao featuring new immigrants and citizens.
Immigration issues present the same challenges elsewhere, although to varying degrees, she noted, adding that this was to be expected as the world became more globalised.
Mrs Lim, who is also the Second Minister for Finance and Transport, pointed out that Singapore itself had grown out of a society of immigrants from different birth countries, who had contributed 'colour and vibrancy to our country'.
No comments:
Post a Comment