Singapore has not rolled back the welcome mat for immigrants, but Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong said the new arrivals must absorb Singaporean values and actively contribute to the community.
Speaking at a grassroots event in his Marine Parade constituency yesterday, he said a fine balance must be struck, to cater to the feelings and needs of Singaporeans without alienating interested immigrants.
'Our answer to this question as to whether we're rolling back the welcome mat must be a clear 'no'. But immigrants themselves must play a part,' he said.
'If they come in to Singapore, convey the impression they are a community apart, that they're here just to take from Singapore and not to give back, then they must expect that sooner or later, the pressure on them will be great. Singaporeans will say, 'Why take them in? They're not contributing'.'
He made the remarks after citing a Straits Times feature two Saturdays ago which referred to discontent at the pace of immigration and outlined recent policy changes that sharpen the distinction between permanent residents (PRs) and Singaporeans, in areas such as health care, housing and education.
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