From AFP.
SINGAPORE (AFP) — Foreign talent and migrants in Singapore give the economy an extra boost, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said Sunday amid worries among locals that they are losing out to the newcomers.
With Singapore‘s small population base, relying on local manpower resources alone will not be enough, Lee said in his key annual policy speech broadcast on television.
“We allow in foreign workers and new immigrants because doing so will benefit Singaporeans,” Lee said in Mandarin.
“Our economy has become more vibrant and diversified because of foreign workers.
“Without their participation, there will not be enough Singapore workers to grow the economy.”
Foreign migrants’ contributions also extend to the sporting arena, where the women’s table tennis team, made up of China-born nationals, had guaranteed Singapore would win at least a silver medal at the Beijing Olympics by reaching the final, Lee said. Singapore later took the silver after defeat to China.
“Outside of economics, foreign talent also strengthens our ranks in sports. So we cannot rely only on local talent,” he said.
Singapore‘s only other Olympic medal came at the 1960 Rome Olympics when weightlifter Tan Howe Liang won silver.
Singapore had a population of 4.59 million in 2007, including more than a million foreign workers and their families.
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Picture not from AFP report.
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It has always been said that with Singapore’s small population base, we can never produce an Einstein or a Noble Prize winner.
But Jamaica with a population of 2.7 millions and a GDP per capital of $4,300 (world’s 114th) has just produce the 2008 Olympic’s fastest men (1st, 5th and 6th) and fastest women (1st, 2nd and 3rd) in the 100 metres sprint.
Why must Singapore with a population of 4.6 millions and a GDP per capital of $49,714 (world’s 5th) import foreign talents from the world’s most populous nation to produce a silver medalists.
Come on Singapore, let us produce our own next Tan Howe Liang.
Why must Singapore with a population of 4.6 millions and a GDP per capital of $49,714 (world’s 5th) import foreign talents from the world’s most populous nation to produce a silver medalists.
Try to see the importing of foreign talents as part of the effort to produce our own next Tan Howe Liang.
If they settle down in Singapore and we accept their children as Singaporeans, then one day we will see a “made in Singapore” medalist whose forefathers were foreign born just like many Singaporeans whose forefathers were foreign born.
Due to the lack of financial support, Mr Tan Howe Liang had to pay out of his own pocket to finance his training and expenses. He won the 1960 Olympic medal out of his love for the sport.
Compared to the present day, where foreign athletes are imported here and promised a reward of S$1 million for winning a gold medal at the Olympics, Mr Tan did not receive any monetary rewards for his effort in 1960.
That is the world of difference.
He won the 1960 Olympic medal out of his love for the sport.
Two key points to take note:
Love for sport –
Would Singaporean parents support their children to spend hours and hours on certain sport just because of “Love for sport”?
Will Singaporeans be happy that we just participate the Game without winning anything?
1960 Olympic medal
No one repeated that history. If it were repeated, there might not be a need of Foreign Sport Talent program.
I have to wonder if Mr Tan Howe Liang won the medal for Singapore today, would people make issue with the fact that he came from China.
Not down playing qualitative arguments, but I am not seeing numbers (correct numbers) in this message to substantiate foreigners boost ecomony. So definitely it’s not easy sell for government to citizens. I am not convinced of this argument myself. I have seen organisations bringing in foreigners for the same posts because they are ‘half the costs’ of Singaporeans.
Having said that, I don’t wish to discount foreigners entirely. I am an ordinary Singaporean and I bring my very young kids out in MRTs/ buses (unless in emergencies, I cannot afford a taxi or private transport lifestyle). 8 out of 10 times, foreigners are the ones who gave up their seats, (I hold the view that it is not a must for anyone to give up their seat anyway), and most Singaporeans pretend to sleep or look away most of the time.
I ask one simple question with regards to be able to produce top talents in Singapore:
>> can people here, afford to train or practice minimum 8 hours EVERY DAY?
As for ‘benefits’ of having Foreign Talents here, I have so far not noted much if any, apart from revenues and levee collected for the government’s coffers.
However, there are numerous social ills; new foreign diseases, and social divides in HDB estates where they are housed by companies who rent HDB units to be used as dorms for these FTs.
I say the only people who benefits from this Foreign Talent Policy, are the policiy makers themeselves. So far after a decade of FT Policy, do we hear of or read about locals benefitting from it?
Never catch the Singapore VS China Pingpong final. Reason is simple. I rather watch a true blue Singaporean win a bronze on the podium with Singapore Majula Sang and flag raised. Singapore is small but that doesn’t mean we have to resort to shortcuts to win medals. Imagined if we can win a medal without a FT, wont that be fantastic? Wining medals with imported talent to sing our anthem and flag raising just doesn’t cut with me. I love my country and i want my country to succeed with pride. Doing it without your native Singaporeans just put me off completely. Anyway, i congratulates the EX-China Singaporean Citizen for doing themselves proud.
FG
As for the DJ guy from 90.5 FM (5pm) saying all the nice stuffs for our paddlers and ridiculing natives for feeling otherwise. I like to tell this DJ that your job as a DJ if you are a singaporean is easily replaceable by a FT. Why would i want to hear you again when you truly dont understand what it means to be Singaporean? He even tell those who felt indifferent to try their luck in the next Olympic. You are a piece of CRAP! Good if you lose your job to a FT.
FG
Of course, FT boost the local economy. Without the whores from China and other countries, the following will be lower:
- liquor sales (and tax)
- budget hotel occupancy rate (and govt tax)
- condom sales
- utilities for whorehouses/massage joints/health centers/hotels
- taxi rides to Geylang, Keong Saik, Orchard Towers, Balestier, Joo Chiat
- airline bookings
- GST for above
Responding to #4
“Love for sport –
Would Singaporean parents support their children to spend hours and hours on certain sport just because of “Love for sport”?”
Yes. Living in Australia, I can see the how the parents emphsaize on sports. Also the government too. Every weekend, most aussie parents bring their kids to stadiums, football pitches, swimming pools, etc.
I don’t see how Singapore cannot be similiar.
“Will Singaporeans be happy that we just participate the Game without winning anything?”
Yes. What about those Australian athletes who came back home without winning a medal? They are still treated as heroes because they tried and did their best.
I remember I was cheering for Ang Peng Siong. Did he even qualify? Of course not, but I sure did feel patriotic that he is a Singaporean.
“No one repeated that history. If it were repeated, there might not be a need of Foreign Sport Talent program.”
Wrong. Because Singapore government doesn’t encourage local kids to have a life in sport. See how they treat Fandi Ahmad? Ask him now. He’ll tell you he regretted coming back when he could have lived his life out in Europe.
Because the government doesn’t value us and are willing to put in programmes which may or may not produce world class athletes.
They rather scout around in world and ‘purchase’ what other countries have already invested time and training on the youths for a particular sports.
“I have to wonder if Mr Tan Howe Liang won the medal for Singapore today, would people make issue with the fact that he came from China.”
This is a very valid point;. Haven’t thought about it. But then Mr Tan come to Singapore for an entirely different purpose.
Kaffein
We must never make false comparisons between our forefathers who came to Singapore when it was a colony (and that’s history) and those whom we import into singapore presently by enticing them with loads of money. We can’t speak for history but we can certainly speak for now. And as far as I can see, our local people and country will suffer in the long run. Years ago, we learnt from MOE approved secondary school history books (CDIS; I have a copy of it) that the Roman empire fell apart because it had roped in foreigners into its security forces because its people have lost the will to fight. I foresee that our PAP government may like to rewrite this part of the history so as to be consistent with its pro-FT policy.
It is true that our forefather came from overseas and therefore some people’s argument is that we should embrace that today as it is yesterday, if that is true then as today, then what the hell LKY don’t embrace opposition party today and openly when he himself and PAP are opposition party back then ?
Very disappointed. Govt not supporting Singaporean but FT. Make us very unhappy but make the FT very happy. Maybe they are using the wrong side of their brains. Have you come across any country that condemn their people? If the FT create jobs for Singapore they might as well go back to their country to help their fellow country man.Why choose Singapore?
Why are we so hai gong to vote for this brainless team.Don’t they know that those FT are the rejects in their countries.
Always remember, the cabinet is our servant , if they are not following us they should be out. Do what the master want and not the other way round.They must always make us, the master, happy. If not, sack them simple as that. When? I think is 2011.
Juz read on BBC Online that convicted child molester, Gary Glitter, once a pop star, is thinking of settling down in S’pore. He is being deported from Cambodia after serving his sentence.
Think he will be welcomed? Got money and creative: a cut above the run-of-mill FTs. Juz like prince from Nepal.
And remember govmen policy of giving a second chance to convicts.
Responding to #4 and #11
“I have to wonder if Mr Tan Howe Liang won the medal for Singapore today, would people make issue with the fact that he came from China.”
“This is a very valid point;. Haven’t thought about it. But then Mr Tan come to Singapore for an entirely different purpose.”
Most probably not. With due respect to Mr Tan Howe Liang, he emigrated with his family from China in 1937. He won the silver medal 27 years later in 1960, by that time he should had been fully assimilated.
More importantly, he won the medal out of his love for the sport. In fact, he had to pay out of his own pocket to finance his training and expenses due to the lack of financial support.
Compare this to the present day, where imported athletes are promised a reward of S$1 million (S$1.5 for team event) for winning a gold medal at the Olympics, he did not receive any monetary rewards for his effort.
Lastly, there were no mass imports of foreigners, as opposed to the present, for people to make an issue of.
This guy meets any FT criteria save for one (molesting children). Even then one may use him as poster boy for the giving another chance campaign?
So let him in, PM?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4766890.stm
What is defined as foreign talent??
How many singaporeans report to a foreigner who has been granted a PR status who in turn report to another FT turned PR?? I am one of those singaporeans.
Clearly, I wouldnt say that my managers and boss are talents. Poor management style, poor technical knowledge, poor command of English, poor understanding of Singapore Standard English (English Language learnt in school; not Singlish), poor leadership, incapability to deliver the objective to subordinates, not-open minded to subordinates idea, everything is lousy… they should give up their PR status and go back their hometown to sleep…
I think singapore and for that matter any country in the world shouldn’t reject foreigners into the country especially if they can contribute to the country. Economically speaking it’s hard to make an ‘across the board’ arguement against either… there are and will always be real talents and bad apples, and macroscopically speaking, singapore economy really has benefitted by leaps and bounds.
However sports is a totally different thing. I am a sports fanatic but I still have to say this: Sports doesn’t make sense… it doesn’t make economic sense nor does it help solve any social ills on it’s own… and it costs a hell lot of money to maintain. So why is sports so important? Because it gels a community, a population and more importantly a country… it provides a sense of pride amongst it’s citizens and it makes them want to be part of the community and to see it excel!!
Yes the foreign talents may have won singapore’s first olympic medal in a long time, yes they have brought us many many medals at lower sporting events… now the singapore national table tennis team is a force to be reckon with on the world stage… seemed to be a success story doesn’t it… but no… if they do not inject the same euphoria and pride and joy in the nation then it has failed. The current singapore soccer national team is probably better then the legendary teams from the 1977 and 1994 malaysia cup… they no longer struggle to beat state teams in malaysia but those teams had a much larger impact on the people of singapore. They made everybody proud, nobody had anything bad to say, at most you are indifferent because sports is not your cup of tea… but now there are sports fans who would come up and show their displeasure at these ‘success’!! Why?
I think the sports bosses need to think what is the most important thing in sports… is it the winning of medals to add to their or our CV or to bind the nation together. I have nothing against the chinese table tennis players, and I do cheer them on and celebrate when they win… but somehow the feeling is different and it’s not something the government or anybody can change with just policies or sensible thoughts…
I hope the FT scheme will really help us to develop our own born and bred sports heroes but looking at the table tennis and soccer teams so far it doesn’t seemed that it has or is going to be BUT the worst thing is that the people who can make decisions don’t see it as a problem…
I think Singapore need a foreign talent to be the Prime Minister of Singapore. This will give PAP competition
My colleuge a Mynamar who is holding a position as an Engineer got his Singapore Citizen last year. The first thing i ask him, do u know how to sing our National Anthem. He replied to me “i don’t know and i don’t care” ! WTF..!
oh leader,
can you tell me the why,
why oh why is it that the last 4 years or so have seen record number of foreigners coming here by way of PRship, work permits or new citizenship.
So, oh leader, why the productivity not enough?
Did someone told me that 30% or so are foreign-originate workers (white or blue collars or some collarless without portfolio )?
Suddenly so much more and Productivity no enough?
Oh dear, i wonder why?
PM Lee still insists on convincing us by justifying his reasons for importing foreigners. Go on, lose more votes.
But the subject are singaporeans, remember? We not talking about European or Americans, SKoreans or Japanese, Australians or Malaysians.
if the prime minister reaLLEE meant what he says is true…
its time to replace his whole cabinet ministers from usa…
far better..far more intelligence…defiteniteLEE more xperience an last butt not least sured damn cheap as well
“Foreign talent gives Singapore extra boost”.
Not counting sports, there is no real quantitative measure to verify this at an individual basis. It doesn’t mean that LHL says so, then it must be true..
I would like to see LHL and his entire Cabinet replaced by foreign talent…. Put your money where your mouth is…
I have said this countless times before and will not tire saying it over and over again until the White Empire is brought to its knees. Why must everything be measured in dollars and cents? Is economic progress the only way to stay relevant? What level of competitiveness are we aspiring after?
LHL says that allowing foreign workers and new immigrants to come in will benefit Singaporeans. I ask him for examples how this is so other than to help add more quickly to the national coffers?
He says our economy has become more vibrant and diversified because of them. Again I ask for real examples seeing so many disgruntled folks all around me whom I am sure are not benefitting from the so-described economy.
He says without the foreign migrants there will not be enough Singaporeans to grow the economy. Why must the economy be the central focus all the time?
He cites examples from the Sporting Arena without realizing that our Sports School is ear-marking primary school students from foreign countries as potential future champions of Singapore. A recent Shitty Times report recently revealed that a primary two student was taken in and accorded special treatment because he was seen as a potential future champion.
Is this not going too far with the foreign talent rubbish? Why won’t the Sports School talent-scout our own Singapore schools for potential local champions to groom? I question the PM why we cannot rely on our own and ask that he provide evidence that our students cannot be groomed to be future champions.