By Zakir Hussain

IT ALL has to do with the numbers, according to observers. One indisputable factor that causes many Singaporeans to feel that the privilege of citizenship has diminished, even when it has not in reality, is the significant rise in the proportion of PRs to citizens.

In 1990, there was one PR for every 23 citizens, but in 2000 this narrowed to one PR for every 10 citizens. This year, there is one PR for every six citizens.

Statistics released last month show Singapore's population nearing the five million mark, with citizens numbering 3.2 million, or 64 per cent of the total.

As of June this year, the number of PRs rose by 11 per cent over the previous year to hit a record high of 533,000. Other foreigners numbered 1.25 million.

Much of the inflow is driven by economic necessity. In his book Population Of Singapore, demographer Saw Swee Hock concluded that if no new citizens or PRs are admitted and fertility rates remain constantly low, a resident population of 3.6 million in 2010 will start to decline from 2020. It would fall to 3.52 million in 2030, 3.23 million in 2040, and 2.86 million in 2050.

Despite this stark reality, notes Dr Leong Chan Hoong, a research fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS), the large number of new PRs and the drive to attract foreign talent 'has created the impression that the Government is giving away permanent residency too easily'.

He identifies three other factors that have contributed to citizens' unease about new arrivals.

One is the more intense competition for resources and opportunities - especially in housing, education and the job market - from this large influx of newcomers. Although this is not peculiar to Singapore, it has been exacerbated by the recent economic downturn.

Two, male citizens shoulder the responsibility of two years of national service followed by 10 years of annual reservist liabilities, while their PR counterparts have no such obligations.

Three, the lack of effective integration among some PRs has led to the stereotypical view that such residents are 'fair-weather friends' who have little intention to contribute to or engage with the community.

Sociologist Paulin Straughan, who is also a Nominated MP, feels that Singapore's dense geographic space makes it inevitable that, with the rising number of non-citizens, citizens end up interacting much more with them.

'There are bound to be more reactions, both positive and negative, and it is a pity we have not been able to highlight the positive exchanges,' she tells Insight.

It is hard to measure the intensity of negative reactions, but a recent incident is reflective of the level of emotion the subject can stir up. A TV clip from China was circulated online, which depicted Singapore PR Zhang Yuan Yuan, 28, as an overseas China national who returned home to take part in her country's national day parade. She came to Singapore in 2003, lived here for five years, and became a PR in 2006.

Irate netizens questioned her allegiance to Singapore and seized the opportunity to vent their spleen against PRs. Her defenders, however, pointed out that Ms Zhang was entitled to be loyal to China as its citizen.

The NPS noted then that PRs are not citizens and it is up to them to become naturalised. 'It's not realistic to expect PRs to have the same level of commitment as citizens. They're likely to retain ties with their countries of origin, just as we would like our overseas Singaporeans to retain ties with Singapore,' said its spokesman.

This article was first published in The Straits Times

» ST graphics: Quek Hong Shin

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