Singapore and its foreigners

Went to the National University of Singapore (NUS) today to visit my friend from China. He is an NUS student and had been on exchange in Stanford last year, and I thought I’d use the opportunity to get to know my local university as well.

I admit visiting NUS was like being a resident tourist, a Singaporean being led on a tour of his own local university by a student from China. I noted the large number of foreign students in NUS (almost 30%, compared to Stanford’s 7%). The importance of these foreigners was only realized when I visited an incubator on campus- about two-thirds were foreigners working (or starting) different start-ups. Few Singaporeans, apparently, wanted to work in start ups.

Picture from Wikipedia.org

Foreigners in Singapore

Foreigners in Singapore remain a touchy subject to many, especially in a recession climate. The opposition to foreign talent stems from numerous quarters- much of it in the job market, where it is perceived that there are more privileges awarded a foreigner than a Singaporean like a blogger writes here. With no national service liaibility (40 days), no CPF and no “resign” privileges, foreigners are indeed a ‘good deal’ to employers in Singapore. Moreover, there is discontent that education scholarships and places go to foreigners, as described here. Many proposals have come up, including one that proposes that new citizens be made to learn English and undergo a modified National Service, though others have argued it is not practical. Another proposal suggests new citizens do community service.

In a way Singapore is not the only one struggling with foreigners in its societies (Silicon Valley itself does too, as this article illustrates). Singapore’s 1st wave of foreigners came  with Raffles’ free-immigration policy; perhaps we are now witnessing the 2nd wave of foreigners. Four key questions remain: to what extent we should open our gates, how we can integrate them as Singaporeans, and how we can get Singaporean society to accept them- all while balancing the last question of how Singapore can remain competitive in the race for global talent.

The first and last questions are ones that are beyond me. I admit I do not know how to answer the question of whether “should a government treat its citizens better than immigrants”, as it is a tenuous balance between the need to remain competitive and the natural wants of the country’s citizens. Is it too much? Is it just right? I don’t know. But perhaps there are other ways to make it less painful.

Another Way?

Perhaps there is a way both foreigners and Singaporeans can benefit. I went to an elementary school built by the Hokkien Huay Kuan, an organization founded by the immigrant forefathers of Singapore. Its earliest goals were to look after the welfare of the new immigrants, and later expanded to donating and contributing to Singapore as time went on (building schools, etc). Its role can be seen today in organizations such as New Citizens in the UK, which seeks the “active involvement” of new citizens in UK civic life.

I have asked many foreigners in Singapore whether they feel unwelcome in Singapore, and many do to some extent. But perhaps they are the only ones who can change that perception. Like the Hokkien Huay Kuan of years ago, perhaps they could come together to help each other ease into this country, and also do a little something for Singapore. It could be to help the poor in Singapore, or any other act of goodwill towards the Singaporean peoples. The root problem it might not solve, but at least it would make it less painful. Then again, the devil is always in the details- but only if!

(Would love to hear your comments or feedback!)