SINGAPORE: New citizens enrich Singapore and invigorate its economy “in ways beyond what numbers can show”, said Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Sunday ( Mar 9 ).
Speaking at the Teck Ghee membership service at Nanyang Polytechnic, Mr Lee said fresh arrivals bring new experiences, various perspectives and international associations.
This helps Singapore to lock into the earth and thrive as a local hotspot and a global network.
“This is how cities like London, New York or Shanghai become great areas of society and success. They attract enterprising and exciting people from all over the globe to go there, to live and work.
“And the regular injection of fresh visitors sharpens them, fires cross-fertilisation of ideas and nations, and creates an environment of continuous innovation and enterprise, ” he said.
Recalling his attend to Google’s office in Silicon Valley two years ago, Mr Lee noted that most of the participants he met had parents who hailed from all around the globe.
“That is America’s huge benefits – it draws best talent from every continent, and therefore it can develop and keep away, ” he said, adding that Singapore must always be open to suggestions and expertise from around the world.
“This is how we became a shining red circle. Because our predecessors came here from many lands, made this their house, and built up this country. And is what we may continue to perform, to shine yet brighter in upcoming– not just for our own sakes, but for our children and grandchildren also. ”
MEASURED AND BALANCED
The Singapore federal is “keenly conscious ” of the need to control immigration and integration properly, particularly as the flows are not little either, said Mr Lee.
Every season, there are about 30,000 member children born and Singapore takes in about 22,000 new people.
“Even legendary time − last year− however not very 30,000 citizen babies born. So we do need to bring in more people, more talent, more contributions, ” he said.
It is therefore crucial for Singapore to manage its immigration inflows carefully by keeping it measured and balanced, said Mr Lee. It is also important to pay close attention to relations and harmony between different ethnic groups and people who are here, and take in people who can fit in and add to society.
He highlighted various ways Singapore integrates its new residents.
All of them undergo the Singapore Citizenship Journey prior to obtaining their citizenship. The Integration and Naturalisation Champions from the People’s Association also run programmes to welcome and integrate new citizens into their communities.
“ I hope now that you have become citizens, you will participate wholeheartedly in society, and make the effort to integrate, ” he told the audience.
“Learn our values and cultural norms, get involved and contribute actively to your communities. ”
” OUR SINGAPORE TEAM”
Mr Lee said other Singaporeans must play their part too, such as by making friends with the new arrivals who may be neighbours, colleagues or schoolmates.
He also encouraged Singaporeans to be “big-hearted ” and welcome new citizens as valuable members of “our Singapore team”.
“To help new citizens to fit in − to feel at home here, to pick up how our society works, and how we can live harmoniously together. And to firmly reject those who play up nativist and xenophobic sentiments for political gain, which will do great harm to our society. ”
Rounding up his address, Mr Lee emphasised how Singapore’s success has always been built on its people – those who came earlier from distant lands, their children born here, and those who continue to join the country every year from all over the world.
“As long as we open our hearts and minds, we can together build a nation that remains vibrant, cohesive, and full of opportunity for those who call it home. ”