FLASHBACK: TAN CHENG BOCK, GEORGE YEO CLASH OVER IMMIGRATION
Posted on June 8, 2011 by satayclub
Dr Tan Cheng Bock (pictured here with Mrs Tan) has confirmed that he will contest the upcoming Presidential Election
By Nigel Tan
Chief Editor
The year was 1999, and Singapore was reeling from the effects of the Asian economic crisis. The PAP government’s “foreign talent” policy was in its early stages of inception, and the party’s most vocal backbencher, Dr Tan Cheng Bock, was of the opinion that Singaporeans needed to be made a priority. The Minister for Information and the Arts, Mr George Yeo, disagreed – he felt that the attraction of foreign professionals remained a necessity because of Singapore’s small population size and talent pool.
The duo crossed swords in Parliament in 1999 over the hot-button issue of immigration – when the PAP government’s “foreign talent” scheme was in its early stages of inception. Twelve years on, both men are no longer Members of Parliament. They could cross swords yet again, however – as opponents at the upcoming Presidential Election.
Dr Tan, who was then an MP for Ayer Rajah, called on the government to “tone down” its call for foreign talent. At a time when Singapore was still suffering the aftershocks of the Asian crisis, the sentiment on the ground was fearful and apprehensive. Dr Tan felt that the government should stand in solidarity with Singaporeans who had lost their jobs, and make them a priority.
He said: “Our message to Singaporeans must be clear and loud. We will help Singaporeans to get back the lost jobs. We must take care of their basic needs. Now, this is a more important priority call than foreign talent. I can understand the rationale and need to inject such talent. I accept and I support this. But many still don’t. It makes them feel threatened. I feel that at this juncture, this call for foreign talent might be a bit misplaced. Let’s think Singaporeans first.”
In reply, Mr Yeo, who then represented Aljunied GRC in addition to being a minister, argued that imposing restrictions on foreign talent would be contrary to Singapore’s national interests.
He said: “It is in a crisis that the true character of a person comes forth, and very often, when we assess our friends, the people whom we work with, we watch them in a crisis. Do they turn selfish and inwards? Do relationships suddenly sour or would they continue to share and feel a sense of solidarity? So, precisely at a time like this, when we need many foreigners to help us take our economy to the next phase, we must not send the wrong signal.”
“We are not Israel, we are not a continental nation, we have a small population base. To succeed, we need many foreigners to help us, some living overseas, some living here. Yes, in the short term, some Singaporeans would be pleased that we are protecting them, we are saving them from foreign competition. But such an emotional line of attack will do great disservice to Singapore, and to ourselves in the long term. It is crucial that while we are friends with (the foreign talents) in good times, we remain friends with them in bad times.”
Dr Tan’s comments in Parliament also drew flak from then-Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew. Mr Lee said to The Straits Times: “So, when I heard Dr Tan Cheng Bock, I decided I would stand up and tell him he’s wrong. You have to decide whether you think he knows more or I know more. You have to decide whether he will give you the answer to Singapore’s future, or that I am likely to give you the better road to the future.”
Potential Presidential candidate George Yeo said in 1999 that Singapore needed foreigner because of its small population and talent pool
The issue of immigration has bred resentment against the PAP government, with many blaming the government’s “foreign talent” policy for suppressing wages despite the country’s impressive GDP growth in recent years. As a result, the PAP scored its lowest percentage of the national vote (60.1%) in Singapore’s post-independence history, with a record 6 seats lost to the opposition. All the opposition parties took issue with the PAP’s liberal immigration policy, proposing various solutions ranging from a points-based system to the raising of Employment Pass salary thresholds from the current $2,500 to $4,000.
However, immigration is unlikely to be made into an election issue at the upcoming Presidential Election, mainly because the President does not have a direct role in shaping public policy. However, the Parliamentary exchanges between Dr Tan and Mr Yeo – outdated as they may be – could serve as a useful indication of where the respective candidates stand on an issue that remains as a top priority for most voters.
Dr Tan has confirmed that he will be contesting the election, having already resigned his membership of the PAP and collected his nomination forms. Mr Yeo has said that he is “thinking hard” about whether or not to contest, although his representatives collected the forms on his behalf earlier this week. He has said that he will make a decision within two weeks. Apart from Dr Tan and Mr Yeo, the only other serious contender is likely to be former NTUC Income chief executive Tan Kin Lian.
The incumbent, President S R Nathan, has said that he has not decided on whether he will seek a third term, but conceded that his age was an issue – he is currently 87 years old.
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The author is the Chief Editor of The Satay Club
Source: http://thesatayclub.net/2011/06/flashback-tan-cheng-bock-george-yeo-clash-over-immigration/
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