Leong Sze Hian / Columnist
I refer to the report “About 1,000 give up citizenship annually” (My Paper, Jul 22).
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, emigrate means “to leave one’s place of residence or country to live elsewhere”. So, I think Non-Constituency Member of Parliament (NCMP) Sylvia Lim’s question may not have been answered adequately.
The foreign missions in Singapore have statistics on the number of Singaporeans who emigrate. For example, I understand that about 4,000 Singaporeans migrate to Australia in a year. The majority of emigrants may not show up in the “surrender citizenship” statistics, because the CPF board will only allow emigrants to withdraw their CPF, when they have obtained citizenship from another country. I have friends who have emigrated to Canada and Australia, and are still waiting to be granted citizenship after many years.
I believe in countries like Thailand and Malaysia, Singaporean emigrants generally are never given citizenship. As many countries allow dual citizenship, unlike Singapore, some emigrants may never surrender their Singapore citizenship.
Does the CPF board have statistics of enquiries that it receives from Singaporeans abroad regarding their CPF withdrawal ?
I would like to suggest that we compile the emigration statistics from the foreign missions, as well as the CPF statistics, so that we have a more realistic estimate of emigration. I feel that we should not in a sense, be complacent, by assuming that only those who give up their citizenship have emigrated. From my experience as the Honorary Consul of a foreign country in Singapore, I believe a simple diplomatic note to the foreign missions requesting for this statistic may suffice.
According to the Overseas Singaporean Unit (OSU), there are 150,000 Singaporeans residing overseas.
How many of these are emigrants ?
According to a Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) survey in 2006, 53 per cent of Singaporean teens want to leave Singapore permanently. The Prime Minister also said in April 2008, that 1 in 4 top A-level students settles abroad every year. Our former PM also said in October 1999 that 2,000 emigrate each year.
In the 1990 population census, the Singapore diaspora was 36,000. What is this statistic in the most recent population census?
More accurate and comprehensive data may also be helpful to the OSU in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) set up in August last year, to do analysis and planning to woo and help Singaporeans return to reside in Singapore.
Since Singapore has been ranked as the best place in the world to live in by expatriates, does it not beg the question as to why so many Singaporeans are emigrating, and more than half our teens want to leave too – if they could?
——–
In any country, there are people leaving to live and work in other countries. Sg is not at exception. there are many reasons – change in liftstyle, work, interest, etc.
Not necesarily because something is amiss in Sg. Prices of houses, car, etc are high no doubt but comparative with most countries.
Most young people in any country would wish to work and live in another country – at some stage for experience and exposure. So the survey may be right about half the young people want to leave Sg but reasons for leaving may varies.
Only some slight difference in the system and in certain areas:
In some countries all will have a place in the university if you can qualify. Government will provide student loan if you can’t afford it. ALL.
ALL citizen retires at 65 and receive pension, welfare, etc – you need not worry about old age and whether it is going to be cheaper to fall sick or die.
If you can’t walk – you can have a mobility scooter to go around. All restarants and shopping, everywhere will have ramp to cater for mobility scooters. All carparks have reserve lots for disabled, etc
If you can’t afford a house – you can rent state houses at cheap rent.
If you are bed ridden – you will have nurse and social workers coming to your house to help you out.
You can go trouts fishing in any river and lake, seaside, deepsea fishing, jungle tracking (tramping), camping, ski, etc.
many reasons why people choose to live in another country
but not mainly due to unhappiness.
Same with those who come to live and work in Sg.
Been there, done it, know the difference.
Sadly, natural endowments and good weather could not be replicated in Singapore. Airconditioning and greenery is just not the same as they are artificial and clinical.
On the other hand, some things in Singapore have been taken for granted until one has lived overseas. There is no perfect place in this world and one has to choose what the priorities are. One man’s meat is another man’s poison.
Nevertheless, emigration is a serious issue that demands more attention. Blood is thicker than water. More perks to differentiate locals from foreigners are needed . Apparently, decision makers do not think there is no privileged birth right and no one is indispensable.
During one of the English radio talk show this morning on the subject of patriotism, the question was posed – why people are not standing up, nor showed any reverence, respect and what have you when the natinal anthem was played at one GRC ND funcation.
I couldnt get through the phone line to air my views, so I thought maybe appropriate to sound it out here – in the very first place, there is no patriotism to talk about. Does anyone really wonder that this is a fact – which apparently the MSM is still sort of oblivious. And isn’t it taxpayers money are used to fund such no-brainer kind of audience-participation shows.
“52) Gus on August 6th, 2008 6.38 am Been there, done it, know the difference.”
Unfortunately (or fortunately), not everyone has the same set of definitions of the way things are here. The only difference at least is that there are platforms in the internet for these differences to be clarified. Not the standard cut-and-paste- copies type that you will usually witness in the MSM which ironically is slowly slowly yet very slowly changing for whatever little bit of betterment. Sometimes, you need to make noise in order to be heard right.
Sojourner,
I was listening to the same programme as I was jogging around my estate and I can’t help but roll my eyes when one of the host was saying that we should put in the lyrics to Majulah Singapura and the pledge in a card that we can put in our front pockets.
Patriotism is not something that can be “educated”. The whole thing about “forced patriotism” is so anti-patriotic that I really cannot understand how someone could even suggest it.
I was actually just waiting for someone to call up and say the bloody truth instead of pleasantries just for the sake of it. There’s nothing to be patriotic about when we as citizens have no voice, and are constantly paying for the benefits of our foreign brothers through government tax. Our own people on the other hand are being ostractized by their own leaders.
Listening to that programme today somehow reminds me of how people living in oppresed states must feel. 1984 anyone?
I wonder why so many SIN-ans are still naive and ill-informed about those who have immigrated to countries such as the UK, US, Canada, etc. As far as I’m aware, no immigrant to Canada who has taken up citizenship is a 2nd Class citizen. Every citizen, rich or poor, able or disable, of whatever colors or status, enjoys all the rights and privileges under the Canadian Constition and the Charter of Human Rights.
The misconception of 2nd Class citizen in Canada is total garbage except for those who couldn’t make it for one reason or another. So just to save face when returning to SIN, they have to cook up something to redeem their face and shame.
In comparison with SIN, Canada offers all that a citizen deserves, is eligible for and entitled to. What have you in SIN? A borrowed roof over your head for 99 years, your retirement savings are not yours even beyond your grave, your freedoms are restricted, your human rights are violated one way or another, discriminations are rife in every strata of your society, etc.
When comparing statistics of any kind, there’s a tendency for SIN-ans to weigh such data with no or limited knowledge on statistical analysis. A recent stark naked instance was the comment made by the Press Secretary of the Ministry of Law. She/He stated that in any democratic countries anywhere in the world, no professional bodies are permitted to participate in the political arena. What garbage and untuths? This SIN talent (mini-million-$ pay entitlement) needs to go back to school.
Professional bodies in western democracies are very much politically alive and verciferously acitve when their interests, rights and rice bowls are violated and trampled upon by the government or unfair legislations. If the Press Secretary were to mention guided democracy (SIN version), meritocracy, despotism, nepotism, axis of evil ideology, I can understand and it goes without saying. Aren’t these sorts of data plucked up from ignorance and kampong mentality?
Though the US is still the world’s greatest economic and military power, most of its citizens are better off than SIN-ans in every aspect of human life and existence. So is Canada’s. It’s getting more difficult to get into western countries particularly the US and Canada.
I trust those who are commenting or reporting, bear in mind to do so objectively, experentially and knowledgeably. Your ignorance, propaganda or psychological warfare is within the views of top talents around the world and/or this will present a very bad image of SIN “balek kampong” talents and mentality.
JW,
The question really is why be treated as a 2nd class citizen in the country that you were born in.
Ebenezeron:
Balanced and well said.
Anyone wonders a piece of related irony (and I believe it’s a hugh problem but not treated as such) in Singapore among our juniors – we have one of the hghest number of myopic school-going kids in the world. Hahaha world-class uniquely Singapore. And if I am not wrong, it was suggested – blame it on the parents…
55) Please tell me the difference on August 6th, 2008 10.29 am
The Law in Sg is strict and good and served as a deterrent.
Things get done pretty quickly.
Most people can afford the basics – a decent house, have a job, family, education, etc
You don’t need to travel for hours to go places
You can still find places to go for supper
Most people can afford luxuries – SCV, hp, clubbing, holidays, etc
Your old age and welfare is your own pasa
dying is cheaper in some instances than falling sick
Not easy to own a car
most people don’t have a garden to grow your own stuffs
You can’t pluck friuts from trees and eat them there and then
Most people don’t have a garage / workshop to do your own stuffs
You can’t drive to the nearby river and fish for trouts
You can’t go camping by beach or reservoir or lakes
People don’t say hi and hello to each other as much
the list can go on until tomorrow
share with you this
I got a chq written in both our names but I don’t have a joint acc
I went to the bank and asked if I can bank the chq into my wife acc
if I signed behind it.
Can.
the teller processed and gave me a receipt
I said “thank you.”
She said “thank you and you have a good day”
I walked away happy. no hassle.
Try doing that in our POSB….
if can . i think more than half of the population will leave , this place sujck
tunkudon,
well if you think about it statistically, we’re almost there, with 1M and counting of our 4.5M, now made up of foreigners.
Just 1M+ more to go.
60) Gus on August 6th, 2008 1.31 pm
Funny right. So many “good things” that you have mentioned and the list can go on and on and yet many still make noise leh. Just don’t understand why.
Is there something missing that you have forgotten to mention ?
Can singapore have economic progress without its people?
Thus, the people contributed signifantly to the economic progress.
Gus forgot to mention.
PAY ME MORE MONEY & I WOULDN’T LEAVE. JUST LIKE OUR PSEUDO-LEADER, MUST HAVE MORE MONEY THAN THEY WILL NOT CORRUPT & LEAVE FOR GREENERY PASTURE. MONKEY SEE MONKEY DO. WHAT A GOOD EXAMPLE.
You forgot that without the PEOPLE,
there is zero economic activities.
High Economic goal is what is aspired to be achieved.
Economic performance came from the people.
Example : a CEO wants his sales team to increase sales by 200% by next quarter. He painted his vision. Whether this can be achieved depends a lot on the sales team workforce who may have to commute to and fro paying all sorts of tarriffs without compraing , supporting the buses and mrt as much as they can. pay carpark without sengchao. pay tax diligently. never object. always yes.
the ceo achieved his sales target goal and felt proud proud.
Is the Singaporean population shrinking? – Part 1
Friday, 14 December 2007, 2:38 pm | 379 views
By Leong Sze Hian
To what extent has our liberal foreign labour and citizenship policies affected Singaporeans’ rights with reference to Article 22 and 25 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights ?
Is the Singaporean population shrinking because of our liberal foreign labour and residency policies?
The answer is probably nobody knows, or maybe just a few may know. Well, perhaps we can try to make a calculated guess…
I refer to media reports about the OCBC survey released on 12 December that 1 out of 50 Singaporeans (2 % of the population) aspire to migrate, and the article “Facts on the ground more eloquent than statistics: Ngiam” (Today, Dec 10).
In the debate on the ministerial pay increase in April, the Minister Mentor argued that without a competent Government, our mothers and daughters will be maids in other countries.
But, if the Singaporean population is indeed shrinking due primarily to emigration, and 2 % of the population aspire to migrate, do our ministers really deserve the 2nd of their 3rd pay increase by 21 % from 1.6 to 1.94 million, come 1 January 2008?
Since the increase for civil servants range from 4 to 21%, why is it that ministers who are already paid the most are also getting the highest pay increase in both percentage and quantum terms?
The latter article reported that:
“Describing the Republic’s productivity performance as “mediocre”, Mr Ngiam pointed out how Singapore’s Gross Domestic Product has expanded “largely on infusions of foreign labour”… Mr Ngiam repeated his concern – which he first made in a People’s Action Party newsletter last month – that Singapore should not be obsessed with bumping up the population for economic purposes, given the advances in technology and education standards.
Said Mr Ngiam: ‘The civil servie is more adept at achieving quantitative than qualitive targets. Topping up our population en masse with immigrants may well create a population base larger than what out economy can sustain’”.
According to the book “Population of Singapore” by Saw Swee-Hock, the ‘Non-Resident Population’ (foreigners) grew by -2.4, -5.7, 0.7, 5.9 and 9.7 per cent, in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006 respectively. This means that the rate of growth for foreigners has increased about 15-fold since 2003.
In contrast, the ‘Resident Population’ (Singaporeans and Permanent Residents (PRs)) grew by only 1.8, 1.7, 1.4, 1.9 and 1.5 per cent, for the same respective years, respectively.
The ‘Net Migration’ for 2005 – 06 (mid-year to mid-year) was 130,500, with the ‘Component of Total Population Growth’ being 132,500 for ‘Population Growth’ and 21,671 for ‘Natural Increase’.
If the population grew by 132,500, natural increase was 21,671, with 130,500 ‘net migration the addition of mainly foreign adults to the total population’, does it mean that about 19,671 (21,671 natural increase + 130,500 foreigners – Population increase 132,500) Singaporeans emigrated from Singapore ?
Since a record 13,200 citizenships were granted last year, and a record 57,000 were granted PR status, giving a total of 70,200, the fact that the overall resident population increase was only 55,000, may also support this estimate for emigration (70,200 new citizens/PRs + 22,358 new babies less deaths – 55,000 overall resident population increase – 19,671 estimated Singaporean emigration = 17,887 estimated PRs who left Singapore?).
Of course, there may need to be a small adjustment to the figures, because some of the new babies and deaths may be PRs.
Depending on the adjustments to the data, because the statistics are not broken down into Singaporeans and PRs, if this approximate figure is correct, then, it may indicate that the number of Singaporeans migrating may be more than the number of new babies and deaths. Will the Singaporean population shrink, if this apparent trend continues?
This matter may also tally with Senior Minister, Goh Chok Tong’s recent call for us to address three main challenges, one of which is the need to integrate the 70,000 plus new citizens and PRs, and make them feel at home in Singapore.
Why is it that as I understand it, emigration statistics of Singaporeans are not published on a regular basis ?
Why do ordinary citizens like me have to guess the numbers? Shouldn’t they be available and published regularly?
How many MPs have ever asked this question in Parliament?
As I am just an ordinary citizen, and not a statistician, economist, analyst or academic, can the experts please help to advise as to whether my estimate is correct, close or far off the mark?
With regards to the ‘Resident Population’, the population increase was 55,000, ‘Natural Increase’ was 22,358, and ‘Migration Increase’ was 32,642, in 2006.
So, does it mean that about 52,313 (55,000 population increase – 22,358 natural increase + 19,671 emigration) of the resident population 55,000 increase, was due to foreigners becoming PRs ?
If this is the case, does it mean that about 95 per cent (52,313 divided by 55,000) of the resident population increase was due to foreigners becoming PRs ?
To What extent has the continuing decline in the procreation rate been due to the change in the income tax rebates on 1 January 2004, reducing the old $ 20,000 Special Tax Rebate for mothers below age 31 for the second child, to just $ 10,000 under the new Parenthood Tax Rebate ?
The ‘Future Resident Labour Force According to Medium Projection, 2005 – 2050’, is projected to increase from the current (2005) 1,747,806 to 1,764,527 in 2010, and then gradually decline to only 1,148,032 in 2050.
Part Two of this article will be published next week.
60) Gus on August 6th, 2008 1.31 pm
Funny right. So many “good things” that you have mentioned and the list can go on and on and yet many still make noise leh. Just don’t understand why.
Is there something missing that you have forgotten to mention ?
There will always be people who are not satisfied no matter what happens. No one can satisfy everybody or make everybody happy, not within a household, not within a community, not within a country and certainly not with the world….
I may have missed couple of important things – what is the something that you think I missed out?
cheers
I have a degree.
I have a good job.
I go out with a girl with a degree.
She has a good job.
We earn too much to get a faux ‘subsidy’ to buy a home.
But we have too little savings to buy a home from the ‘resale’ market.
I am too young to buy a flat alone.
But I am too old to live with my parents.
I’ve spent 2 and a half years in ‘prison’.
And I waste 2 weeks a year (and many more years to go) revisiting my jail.
I have voted in 2 elections and not voted in 1.
Every election that I voted or not voted for was for a different constituency.
But I have not changed my address.
I don’t own a car
but I should because ‘public’ transport is not really ‘public-centric’.
I am too “rich” to get subsidies or rebates.
I am too poor to not feel the pinch of the constant increases in prices.
I pay 20% “tax” on my salary to a “retirement” fund that I will not see when I retire.
I no longer understand the languages spoken by the people around me.
I am ruled by an incompetent, corrupt government that I did not vote for.
I am singaporean.
I am sandwiched.
I don’t want to be singaporean.
I don’t want my children to be singaporean.
I am waiting to leave.
“68) Gus on August 7th, 2008 7.02 what is the something that you think I missed out”
Well just for a start. Even with all the surface achievements, the sense of ownership in this country is clearly not present for some (or a lot of) people given you-know-I-mean.
To a great degree, a lot of us do sense that something is not so right in the national scene. Call it intuition or anything if you like. It may be fine for you but certainly it is uneasy for me. No point to be more specific.
… the sense of ownership in this country is clearly not present ………. a lot of us do sense that something is not so right in the national scene
It is because people feel they are not able to get straight answers / key information from the government.
It is because people feel that PAP is not listening and just ignoring public views. If PAP wants to talk / debate policy core values, why restrict it to Parliament and with opposition? Come out to debate the core values in public with the people.
It is because all PAP can do is redraw election boundaries and play all sort of tricks to keep themselves from being voted out.
It is because PAP only know repeating its policy position and tell people to move on when people feel the PAP is not representing the people.
what sort of straight answers / key info you want from the Government / PAP?
Just name me 3 things.
Perhaps others may know the answers.
What are the things that the PAP are not listening or ignoring?
Just name me 3 things.
Perhaps others may not agree with you.
Redrawing boundries – no arguement there.
the more than half of the people who voted for the PAP trusted the PAP’s judgement and will adopt their policy. If not – next election they will loose their votes. The PAP can only represent so many people and do so much for so many people – not all. If you are not in there – too bad. Wait for your opposition MP to get voted in then he will represent you.
“Well just for a start. Even with all the surface achievements, the sense of …”
if you can say exactly what you mean – easier for me to understand. I wish to understand what are the things you are not easy with. It is after all only an opinion be it agreed upon or not.
I am not happy with the way ERP points are erected – nothing I can do about it. There are a number of things I can do – take public transport, ride bicycle, not voting for the PAP comes election, migrate, grumble about it, etc …
someone not happy with the speed camera along Napier Road – smashed up the camera. I think it was smashed / vandalised – more than once. But then motorists slowed down along the stretch of road which was the purpose of the camera.
can’t go around smashing up all the ERP though. can’t cheat or avoid not paying. so live with it. Each time the cash goes out – I will just swear and curse like most people. A friend told me that he has several set of false number plates (all with non existence numbers, don’t want others to get into trouble) and he saved quite a bit on ERP, cannot used too often though….i told him it is just not worth it….
cheers
Some years ago I overheard a partial conversation on an SQ J class flight flight. between 2 distinguished looking gentlemen whom I do not know their names. I still remember the jist of it as :
“Well if they leave Singapore, it is good as we do not need to take care of them in their old age; healthcare is going to be very expensive..”
“Yeh, there are many hungry foreigners waiting to be given a chance to get in…”
My advice to all contemplating to leave Singapore – ” please do not go unless you have no choice; claim your birth rights and do not give it away easily to others.
FTs are only a temporarily fad – they will go to places where they can find easier lives – remember the popular phase ” fail in London, try Hong Kong “, nowadays it may be “no job in America, try Asia”………………………
Hang on there fellow Singaporeans; we can have a good thing going here.
73) Gus on August 7th, 2008 12.36 pm
The will to let go so that really able people can really shine. Let the people decide who should lead. No artificial barriers in the name of this and that (and tonnes of reasonings which are effectively excuses). Singaporeans may have been subservient in the past given certain past conditions.
Certainly, the level of understanding & maturity acquired in the past years on national matters have resulted in them becoming more discerning and confident in airing their opinion on how the country must move or be directed. This itself is healthy and good but artificial barriers must be dismantled for it to bear fruits.
Alternatively, this will be translated into useless cynicism and in long run apathy. Variety is the spice of life while single minded dominance just for the sake of it may result in national stagnation at the expense of the greater good of our wider citizenry.
2nd class Singaporeans – you are not; you are just not not happy with us staying around and working in your country.
So what’s the point of this article? PAP sucks, so that’s why life sucks, so that’s why people are leaving? Is that the message?
Surely, there is lack of political freedom. But are the people leaving for this reason? Does breaking the cage around democracy keep people here? I somehow don’t think that is enough.
The most mobile echelon of the population is always going to seek opportunities awaiting them else where simply because there is always a patch of grass elsewhere which is greener in the eye of the beholder. Just like our forefathers, both well to do and not, who came here for various reasons.
So what I believe is important is to come up with a system that can sustain the resources to give the people who CAN’T leave the country a respectful life. After all, these are the people who are likely to suffer the most.
This task is, of course, an universal problem, not only specific to Singapore. What is particularly challenging here is that we do not have anything to mine or farm to generate revenue for all the expenses the people need. If all the mobile people, both citizens and not, pull out, what is left is just going to be an empty shell. Scary.
77) vendi on August 8th, 2008 11.14 am
So what is your point ? Head you win, tail I lose ? What you are saying is that what is so not so desirable that is going to happen is not only specific to Singapore.
Agreed but in this context, there is a difference between leaving for good carrying along with negative feeling about the country left and leaving temporarily or long term but always with good memories about the country to talk about and positive feeling towards the country. And also the “quality” of those that are leaving the country for good and their reason.
There will always be global mobility, e.g workwise, etc. Ultimately, it is the heart of the person that counts. Is the heart in Singapore when he is outside Singapore or put in another way do the people who are physically present here have their heart here.
“If all the mobile people, both citizens and not, pull out, what is left is just going to be an empty shell. Scary.”
This is precisely what nation building is all about.
what sort of straight answers / key info you want from the Government / PAP
Give us the detailed breakdown of the cost of one HDB project and how HDB comes up with the selling price for the units.
Give us detailed employment and other demographic statistics in three individual groups: citizen, PR, foreigners.
Give us detailed account of how the fee collected from road tax, COE, tv license, maid levy are being used.
What are the things that the PAP are not listening or ignoring?
Just name me 3 things.
Perhaps others may not agree with you.
Whenever, PAP has to resort to “let’s us move on”.
The question is whether there are more people agree with me or disagree with me. The way to settle it is with public debates on issues.
Every country has its advantage. You have to prioitise.
“Best place to live in but how many are leaving?”
Isn’t Singapore is like a high-class hotel ? Very superficially look good in image and service. Staff having superficial smile just for the sake of ricebowl and everything manage to as business. But leave everyone must eventually as who can afford to stay for a long time in expensive hotel with accomodation price heavily mark-up.