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By Lim Jialiang

In a statement on Sunday, PM Lee ‘acknowledged that the government could have done better in presenting the Population White Paper to the public.’ [1] Rather than look at the arguments that have been presented over the course of the White Paper debate, it is rather revealing to see how the media and the State have characterised opposition to the debate. It seems that even after so many years, the PAP is still (predictably) clinging on to the idea that their policies are only lacking because they lack in style rather than in substance.

Editorial

Why the Population White Paper is a missed opportunity.

Contrary to the vitriolic reception it received, the government’s decision to prepare and publish its Population White Paper should be seen as a brave, if foolhardy, move. Few people seemed convinced by its arguments, not surprising given that the citizenry’s growing scepticism about the merits of rapid population growth through immigration had been clearly telegraphed in the last few years.  Thus the government’s determination to push for a paper advocating reducing the proportion of Singaporeans to close to half of the population in the next two decade is, if anything, indicative of the measure of its belief in the necessity of such measures.

By Chan Chi Ling

A lot of sound and fury have surrounded the recent population white paper, and for good reasons. If all goes to plan, Singapore will have 7 million people in 2030. Between now and then, the cacophony of construction work rages on as the government rushes to reclaim new land, expand transport networks, community facilities, housing. And while the white paper speaks with characteristic optimism about the long term benefits of the plan, it has downplayed its costs and thoughtlessly put the cart before the horse by letting GDP growth dictate population policy.

A plan that missed out the most important questions

The trade-off is a real one: an aging, shrinking citizen workforce will mean slower economic growth. The question of whether we should have greater influx of immigrants to drive economic growth or opt for slower growth with less rapid increase in population is, as I have argued before, not one that can be answered by economics. It is at heart about the kind of society we want to live in, and the kind of values we subscribe to: if we do not recalibrate our consumerist aspirations, economic growth naturally takes precedence; if we really care about sustainability, livability and cohesion, it would be about children, the aged and who should be admitted and naturalized as Singaporeans.

Speech by Mr Inderjit Singh, MP for Ang Mo Kio GRC

On the White Paper on Population

Madam Speaker,

Thank you for allowing me to join the debate on the White Paper on Population.

While the report has some compelling arguments for the 6.9m population figure projected, we all know it is based mainly on economic considerations. Had we focused on things like building a cohesive nation with a strong national identity, the outcome would likely be very different.

I feel the time has come for us to find a better balance between economic growth and social cohesion and yes there will have to be tradeoffs of economic growth but I would rather trade some of these for a cohesive, united nation where people feel taken care of at home and are confident of their future. I am not saying we go for low or no growth. Instead I am willing to adjust my growth expectations for a more comfortable life for all Singaporeans. I am confident we will still be able to pursue respectable economic growth when companies and Singaporeans are faced with a situation of tightened labour availability by focusing on improving ourselves through productivity and higher value capabilities. Finland and other small nations have done, we can do it too.