New Citizens and PRs
23. New citizens and PRs
a. Form a smaller group, but impact is longer and deeper
b. They not only contribute to our economy
c. They also enrich our society, and make up for our population shortfall
d. Big decision to strike roots in a new place. Nevertheless, we have got good people joining us
   i. From the region, e.g, Olivia Lum or Mustaq Ahmad (owner of Mustafa) or Tao Li
   ii. Also from advanced countries - US, Europe, Japan
e. Not all are as prominent, but we make sure that PRs and new citizens will raise the quality of our population, in terms of education, skills, and drive
f. Over time, from this pool of PRs, we will get our new citizens

24. For many Singaporeans, one sore point is that new citizens and PRs do not do NS
a. True of first generation arrivals
b. Cannot be helped - not practical for us to call them up
c. But their sons, whether brought or born here, do perform NS
d. Each year several hundred boys who were not born as Singapore citizens, but who have become citizens or PRs, do NS
e. They come from different races and countries
   i. But they have consciously committed themselves to do NS, and march together with Singaporeans
f. A good number distinguish themselves
  i. Attend OCS, earn the Sword of Honour or Sword of Merit
  ii. New citizens have signed on as regulars and won SAF scholarships
     (1) One national service officer who was a PR (LTA Kok Khew Fai) threw himself over a recruit to protect       him from a dropped hand grenade (both were unscathed)
     (2) Now a new citizen, he recently decided to sign on and take up a SAF Merit Scholarship

25. We will make greater efforts at fostering integration
a. New arrivals often come with different social habits, which grate on locals
b. Singaporeans must understand that they come from societies very different from ours
   i. In China and India, one has to be assertive and even aggressive to get anywhere
   ii. In Singapore, our social norms have become more restrained and considerate (though not always enough!)
   iii. New arrivals need to adjust to this
c. We have programmes to help new arrivals to do so
   i. e.g. queuing up for buses, being more accommodating and less pushy, getting along with people of different        races
d. Will do more
   i. National Integration Council set up in April
   ii. NIC will announce new initiatives soon
e. Gradually new citizens do adjust
   i. ZB has done several stories on new immigrants, highlighting their aspirations, experiences and concerns
   ii. Yesterday zbNOW interviewed a new citizen, Mr Vijay Badami, here since 1997, originally from Karnataka
      (1) He said that Indians traditionally talk in long winded sentences, but in Singapore, everything is short and             crisp
      (2) Since moving here, his family has adapted to the Singapore talking style. Now when they visit India,             relatives find them "reserved". For example, young Indians would try to dominate the conversation, but his             son (educated in Singapore, finished NS, studying in SMU) is easy-going and quiet
      (3) He said: "India is a vast country and it's a rat race over there. If you do not know how to present yourself,             you may be easily forgotten. If my children were in India now, I'm afraid they will find it hard to             overcome the competition."

26. Universities are a microcosm of our society
a. Critical to bring in international students
   i. Outstanding universities, e.g. Harvard, Cambridge, have a significant proportion of international students
      (1) They gather the best talent from around the world, and create a cosmopolitan campus environment that              promotes cross-cultural learning and exchange of ideas
   ii. Our universities and schools must do likewise
       (1) We will create enough places for our own students
       (2) But the universities should take a good mix of students, local and international
       (3) This will help raise our standards, and create a stimulating environment for our own students
       (4) This will also provide opportunities for local students to build networks and prepare them to engage Asia
b. International students (IS) also bring stresses and strains
   i. Competition for grades, scholarships, halls of residence
   ii. Mutual lack of comfort
      (1) IS consider locals cliquish, and vice versa
      (2) In project work, IS feel "left out" or "unwanted" by locals, while locals feel IS do not put in equal effort
   iii. Frequent interaction in classes, canteens, corridors inevitably causes some friction
c. Hence universities must make greater effort to integrate students
   i. e.g. ensure that faculties, residences and societies are diverse and promote interaction not segregation
   ii. Organise joint activities in halls of residence, clubs and societies
d. Local students should welcome international students
   i. Make friends and learn about their cultures
   ii. Work together on projects; understand each other's different abilities, and pool your strengths to deliver a        quality product
   iii. It will help you one day when you find yourself working in their countries
e. International students should also make an effort to know Singapore
   i. We welcome you and want you to be part of our society
   ii. Be competitive, but also mix with Singaporeans, cooperate with one another and build friendships
   iii. Hope you will adapt to Singapore norms - not to become completely like us, but to be harmoniously integrated         with us
   iv. Enjoy your time here - studying, later working, and for some, eventually making this place your home

Citizens Come First
27. Emphasize: The interest of citizens will always come first
a. Our immigration policy is to benefit Singaporeans, not foreigners
b. But to safeguard the long term interest of Singaporeans, we must have a sustained, calibrated inflow of immigrants

28. Make a clear distinction between citizens and PRs, and between PRs and non-residents
a. e.g. Budget packages, CPF top-ups etc are reserved for citizens
b. Those citizens who are doing or have done NS will get more than those who have not
c. Public housing, education and health care subsidies distinguish clearly between citizens and PRs
d. Will make this differentiation sharper, between the treatment of citizens and PRs, to reflect the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship
e. But cannot make it so onerous for PRs and non-residents that they do not want to come

Conclusion
29. You ask "Is there room for more?"
a. Answer: Depends on you!

30. Government will strive to create the preconditions for Singapore to stay competitive and continue growing

31. But we rely on each new generation to push out the boundaries
a. Not to be efficient factors of production
b. But to make our society more vibrant and interesting, while maintaining our cohesion and harmony, and breaking new ground to make Singapore a better place

32. Look at the best students in dynamic societies like US, India or China
a. They are passionate, idealistic, driven, out to change the world for the better
b. Full of energy, pushing causes, promoting all sorts of projects - for the environment, disadvantaged families, etc

33. Our students should be similarly charged up
a. Pursue causes you believe in
b. Volunteer and serve in the community or in NGOs
c. Venture into many fields, including politics
d. Dare to dream
e. Surprise yourself with what you achieve
f. And thus create a better future for all of us