Official reply from government on the Zhang Yuanyuan fiasco
October 6th, 2009 | 
Author: From our Correspondent
A Singaporean by the name of Tony Tan has written to the Prime Minister and a few government agencies to complain about the attitude and behavior of Singapore PR Zhang Yuanyuan who sparked a furore in Singapore cyberspace by flashing her blue NRIC on the screen of a China channel CCTV 7 and proclaiming her allegiance to China!
The exchanges were posted on the popular forum Sammyboy.com:
04 Oct, 2009 03:17 PM
To PMO Chok Tong GOH/PMO/SINGOV@SINGOV, PMO Hsien Loong LEE/PMO/SINGOV@SINGOV, PMO Kuan Yew LEE/PMO/SINGOV@SINGOV, MFA Jayakumar S/MFA/SINGOV@SINGOV, MHA Kan Seng WONG/MHA/SINGOV@SINGOV, MINDEF Chee Hean TEO/MINDEF/SINGOV@SINGOV, PMO Boon Heng LIM/PMO/SINGOV@SINGOV, Swee Say LIM/PMO/SINGOV, MOF Hwee Hua LIM/MOF/SINGOV@SINGOV, PMO Chee How HENG/PMO/SINGOV@SINGOV
cc
Subject Singapore PR openly spoke about her desire to go home and proud to serve NS for her motherland
Dear PM Lee and Ministers,
Is this is the kind of new immigrants the Government expect born and breed Singaporeans to integrate with? I would like to ask the Minister of Home Affairs, Mr Wong, Sir, will ICA take any actions like revoke Ms Zhang Yuanyuan’s PR? Ms Zhang has openly spoke in the PRC National TV that she is coming HOME to serve her motherland country and proud to participate in China’s National Day parade. I’m not too sure during the 5 years in Singapore, did she study in a local university/polytechnic? If so, we have wasted the money (subsidies/scholarship) on her.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlKJg0jfJAk
Thank you for your attention.
Yours Faithfully
Tan Keng Hong
NRIC: S*******H
Mr Tan’s letter has received no replies from the ministers so far except from the National Population Secretariat:
“Singapore PR openly spoke about her desire to go home and proud to serve NS for her motherland Monday, 5 October, 2009 6:41 PMFrom: “NPS Contact” Add sender to ContactsTo: [email protected]
Dear Mr Tan,
I refer to your email dated 4 October 2009.
Singapore Permanent Residents (PRs) are not Singapore citizens. They hold citizenships of their countries of origin and we can expect them to retain ties with these countries. For example, we have Singapore citizens holding PRs of other countries who come back to participate in Singapore’s National Day celebrations, not unlike the example you have cited in your email.
Yours sincerely,
Ng Xiuling
Population Policy Officer, Corporate Communications
National Population Secretariat
The standard reply bears uncanny similarities to what was said earlier by three PAP MPs in an interview with the state media: that there is nothing wrong in Zhang Yuanyuan proclaiming her loyalty to China publicly since she is only a Singapore PR.
It appears that the ministers, MPs and civil servants have missed the point altogether again which is a reflection of how disconnected they are from the real sentiments on the ground.
The crux of the entire saga does not lie in Zhang Yuanyuan’s public announcement of her allegiance to China, but in the liberal immigration policies of the Singapore government and the generous benefits and perks enjoyed by PRs.
There is no time limit and compulsion on the part of the PR to take up citizenship. They can continue working and living as long as they wish in Singapore.
With the exception of lower housing and education subsidies and CPF contributions, PRs enjoy the same rights as citizens except that they are not permitted to vote.
As such, the system is open to abuse by some PRs who come to Singapore only to earn money without ever harboring the intention of taking up citizenship like Zhang Yuanyuan.
To compound matters, they are allowed to purchase HDB resale flats which contributes to the record high prices we are seeing now. According to a recent ERA report, 40 per cent of the buyers of resale flats are PRs.
Most Singaporeans have nothing personal against PRs and foreigners. What they are peeved with is the government’s policies which are making citizens, especially those who served National Service feel short-changed, aggrieved and hurt.
Related articles:
>> Singapore PRC PR proclaimed loyalty to China publicly
>> PRC resident hung China flag to celebrate its National Day
>> PRC student in Singapore wants more scholarships for foreigners
>> PRC prostitutes solicit for customers on Singapore’s cyberspace
>> ERA: 40 per cent of resale flats buyers are PRs
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Coz it’s true to character of...
“For example, we have Singapore citizens holding PRs of other countries who come back to participate in Singapore’s National Day celebrations, not unlike the example you have cited in your email.”
=====================
The above may be true, BUT the key difference is do these S’pore citizens brag about their allegiance to S’pore (and insult their PR issuance country) on national TV???!!
SO WHY ARE SINGAPORE PRs GETTING SINGAPORE CITIZENS BENEFITS.
SINCE ” Singapore Permanent Residents (PRs) are not Singapore citizens.”
it’s no use emailing to so many ppl, the e-mails are all screened first by officials (not ministers)and then a standard reply will be issued by the relevant authority.
i don’t think pap don’t know abt the PR problem and the feelings of singaporeans. they just feel that they know better, that their policies is for the best of singapore, its the temptation to do good that turns out badly that is the most difficult to eradicate
Well I hope the administrator could censor Mr Tan’s Identity Card number from this post. It’s kind of dangerous to have his ID and name published.
I am not him anyway. Just sharing a thought.
Is it okay to print the actual IC number of the original sender? Maybe remove the first few digits or something, not sure how privacy would play into this though.
Hi Secret,
No worries. Mr Tan has already contacted us. He has listed his full name and NRIC on the Sammyboy forum which has a larger readership than ours.
“Singapore Permanent Residents (PRs) are not Singapore citizens.”
Wow!
Can someone please help me to clarify this statement?
Since when the ruling elites made another U-Turn?
Please…only get the PM to reply to this query.
Ha ha ha!
The official reply did NO justice in explaining how our tax money is being spent ‘INTEGRATING” foreigners who are “DIFFERENTIATING” from us.
I heard that in calculus, integration and differentiation are in opposite direction. I failed my Primary Two maths and gave up long time ago.
Maybe the very learned author can give me some taxpayer-paid free maths tuition on “integration” and “differentiation” so that I can be employable catching up with such great foreign talents.
Kudo to Mr Tan who has the courage to put his name and NRIC on the Internet. I think he is really pissed off by this PAP government.
hang on, guys.
not too long ago, Gong Li, a beloved national treasure of China, gave away her citizenship to be a full-pledged Singaporean. There was a lot of unhappiness about that over there.
Lets not make a big deal out of it.
I live overseas and a PR in a North Asian country, and every Singapore National Day, we’ll have parties and dress in red and white. I use Singlish in my office, and while some folks make fun of me, i’m still proud of the way i speak. i even try to educate my colleagues here.
You can take the boy out of Singapore, but u can never take the Singapore out of the boy.
It applies to this Chinese girl too.
If there’s anything you want to express unhappiness with the govt, then i suggest you ask this – how come she gets a pink IC? How long did she live in Singapore before she was given a pink IC?
these are the questions i would ask.
My salute to Mr. Tan!
Singapore should have more of these upright and active citizenry who dares to question our leaders.
Unfortunately, this proved once and for all our PAP leaders are blind and deaf and has absolutely no clues to the concerns of the citizenry.
It would do well for us to vote in more opposition MPs to parliament so that our voices can be heard.
This is proof that even if you write to PM also no use. It is best to write to opposition and have them air our views in parliament.
Banyak! Banyak! Malu lah!Kita yang suda tipuk.
btan on Tue, 6th Oct 2009 3:56 pm
I agree that we should vote as many opposition into parliament as possible. At least 30 will be good. No point voting for PAP MPs when they can’t vote against any policy in the parliament.
Why are Singaporeans so fickle minded?
U dont want so many Prs in Singapore, she went back to China to serve her nation.
She stay, u say she steal u jobs
She leave, u also not happy.
Dont be losers!
I have written in to the Ministry of Home Affairs and raised a ruckus.
I want to make sure this patriot to China shall have her PR status revoked.
This is not someone I wish to call “Comrade”.
Hi Sasha,
Would you mind to share your letter with our readers?
We can be contacted at: [email protected]
Thank for publishing my email here to let more Singaporean know, someone have put in an effort to write to the very top and I hope more can do the same and if you have a serious issue to bring up in the development and survival of this country. I just want to do my part as a Singaporean not to see this country collapse; and to see what the early generation leaders and the people that have build up the last 40 years to go down the drain. Some of you think that the ministers may not have access to those email published in the govt directory online; FYI, some ministers do check their email daily too e.g. PM Lee and Minister Mah.
Two incidents recently have made me fire up (1.) PRC flag hanging outside HDB flat (2.) Zhang Yuanyuan issue even more determine to stand up against the current immigration/integration policy. Tell me which individual will give priority in taking care and defend his/her family FIRST; then one will do more to help his/her friends or strangers SECOND! Same Principle within a country… the born-&-breed and its future generations come FIRST…
If the government don’t take our ‘advice’ now, and I hope fellow Singaporeans don’t be afraid that your ballot paper will get trace, or ISD scary tactic, or condemn if you have family members working in public sector… vote seriously in the coming GE! The PAP has to lose a few seats so as to wake up! Losing 10-20 seats, will not harm too much instability, PAP can still form the government. Singaporeans still can continue to enjoy HDB/lift upgrading, GST Credit, Jobs Credit etc.
Anti-Chinese racism is protruding its ugly head again over this case of Zhang Yuanyuan. The logic is so simple. She is not a Singapore Citizen. She is not expected to and should not pledge loyalty to Singapore in any way. How many people know about the case of the soccer coach Vincent Subramaniam? He was a coach for one of our national teams. A few years back, when he decided to quit Singapore, he described Singapore as if it was some god-forsaken place. He told a newspaper that he was taking out his CPF and going to India. This chap is not PR, he is a Singapore Citizen! When he couldn’t make it in India, he swaggered back to Singapore and he got a job as a soccer coach again. Why is this not blown into a big issue? WHY!? This hoo-ha about this Chinese PR is all racist. There is a lot of snaky anti-Chinese racism in this country. Take another case. When ex-President Ong Teng Cheong visited China and made a friendly statement, there were a lot of noises created in the press. But when S R Nathan, visited India and proclaimed that he would promote India’s interest in South-east Asia, it was all quiet.
Tony on Tue, 6th Oct 2009 5:39 pm
Thanks Tony.
Your ward please.
My ward is just fine over these years. Landscaped, Garbage cleared reguarly, LIfts serviced and cables renewed. Blocks facelifted. Conservancy charges comparable with other PAP wards.
Good. Happy. Hawker centres with reasonably-priced cooked food below.
value at a premium now.
Change for what I don’t know. Not necessary for me to change for more so-called liberal rhetorics & debates.
I like to know what Zhang Yuanyuan done wrong by flashing blue ic infrom of the Chinese reporter? She is still a citizen of
China n pledging loyalty to country is noting shocking. I wonder if she criticized this country which made many locals angry? Please be more open minded.
Interesting, when it suit them, they differentiate between PR and citizen and claim singapore PR can have ties to their mother land. YET WHEN IT COME TO STATISTICS AND NUMBER , THEY LUMP EVERYONE AS SINGAPORE RESIDENTS !!!!… Please, who are you trying to kid… CAN THE GOVERNMENT IN THE FUTURE DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN CITIZEN AND PRs in their statistics and reports!!!
Wow lau…”N.S” for PR finally
Next National Day Parade got hope liao…we can even out-source SAF Day marching to FTs….hooray!
Why don’t we end this debate very amicably. ALLOW ALL SINGAPOREANS TO DOWNGRADE TO PR STATUS WHEN THEY PREFERS IT (like just before NS enlistment) and THEN UPGRADE BACK TO CITIZENSHIP (after the NS enlistment period).
That way it is fairer to both PR and native born Singaporeans.
IS THE GOVERNMENT READY TO FULFIL THE NATIONAL PLEDGE OF EQUALITY since PRs can also convert into citizenship at their own choosing??
The reply fr national poupulation secretariat is so contradicting! “SG PRs are not SG citizens” so why are PRs given equal subsidies in SPUR training.. or jobs credit scheme.. why are PRs allowed same priority when comes to choosing primary schools? PRs should not be allowed to purchase public housing ,rather they should be allowed only to purchase private housing.
so what kind of ppl do we want as PRs? highly qualified and professional ones or those who come to vie for blue collar and mid-level white collar jobs that our locals can easily fill!!!
And alternatively, Singaporeans CAN DOWNGRADE TO PRs and apply for foreign PRs and citizenships while keeping Singapore PRs – to be equal to Zhang Yuan Yuan – EQUALITY as pure as white. So that if war comes, they can elect not to fight too.
Is that not a fair deal?
pls take note,zhang yuan yuan is a chinese teacher in singapore.
一中国女子在新加坡担任华文教师并取得永久居民身分，但放弃新加坡生活回到中国，参与中国阅兵队伍，接受电视访问时指要「报效祖国」，引起新加坡网友砲轰
To frodosamo,
The point here is more about being too lenient on the PR’s application criteria, not about racism. Or even about the applicant, herself.
Hi cy,
Where did you get the source? Is it from a Chinese paper? Please share with us the url here.
to admin,
you can google 一中国女子在新加坡担任华文教师并取得永久居民身分, there are lots of links to choose from, take your pick
I am very sadden by all this. PRs are given more benefits than citizens. Tens of thousands of Singaporeans have lost their jobs and are struggling to pay their bills and put food on the table but this government is not even listening. How sad. What is wrong with our elites? How can they stand aloof and see their own fellow citizens suffering? How callous can one be?
I have no other choice but to vote for the opposition to save myself and my countrymen from more harm.
Civilservant on Tue, 6th Oct 2009 4:56 pm
Another idiotic comment. That ungrateful girl is only one person. If we don’t kick out the present party, they will bring in another two million more. Don’t you have any brains? I think you are sucking up too much.
Admin,
You can find the related links here about the chinese report.
http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_4fd6fd9c0100fvig.html
From… the following…
1. I say that “will4″ QUOTED IS right THAT Zhang Yuanuan IS A CITIZEN OF China and is only a PR of Singapore AND HAS DONE ABSOLUTELY NOTHING when she PLEDGED ALLEGIANCE AND LOYALTY TO HER Country Of BIRTH!!! So Singaporeans SHOULD USE THEIR HEADS and NOT JUST THEIR hearts AND LAMBAST wITHOUT PORPER REASONS And CAUSE!!! It SHOWS Fellow Singaporeans… THE QUALITY of OUR MINDS… Which YOU COMPLAIN… THAT PAP DOES NOT HAVE!!!… Please “BUCK-UP” ALL THOSE WHO HAVE ASAILED WITHOUT SENSE And SENSIBILTY!!!
“will4 on Tue, 6th Oct 2009 7:46 pm
I like to know what Zhang Yuanyuan done wrong by flashing blue ic infrom of the Chinese reporter? She is still a citizen of
China n pledging loyalty to country is noting shocking. I wonder if she criticized this country which made many locals angry? Please be more open minded.”
===============================================================
“catchthem” IS RIGHT TOO of government’s “Swinging and Swaying” in their STANCE of Citizens Vs PRs… AS in recent days… we were told of HOW MANY and IN PERCENTAGE Citizen+PRs make up of The TOTAL Population of some 5 Million… BUT NO BREAKDOWN OF CTIZENS To PRs Was Given!!! THIS IS The CONUNDRUM AND The RUB of THIS gahmen CIONCERNING TRANSPARENCIES!!!
“catchthem on Tue, 6th Oct 2009 7:55 pm
Interesting, when it suit them, they differentiate between PR and citizen and claim singapore PR can have ties to their mother land. YET WHEN IT COME TO STATISTICS AND NUMBER , THEY LUMP EVERYONE AS SINGAPORE RESIDENTS !!!!… Please, who are you trying to kid… CAN THE GOVERNMENT IN THE FUTURE DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN CITIZEN AND PRs in their statistics and reports!!!”
Thank you BOTH “will4″ AND “catchthem”.
Excuse me if you think I am incorrect. And so I stand TO BE corrected… Convincingly that is.
INTIMIDATION from a PRs, and country head still can accept this kind of insult.
From this lesson, singaporean should learn one true image, are government still need singaporean to vote for them.
MONEY can buy everything , and now ever their self esteem in them are lose.
STAND UP singaporean let get someone who are really can do their work for the country.
Yes, since permanent residency has the same benefits as a citizen, and a lot of citizens don’t get to vote anyway (the only difference between a citizen and a PR), why not allow all Singaporeans to convert to permanent residency?
There is no point to being a Singaporean when foreigners can walk in here and enjoy the same benefits as a Singaporean, and have the benefit of their own citizenship in their own countries.
The gist of the matter is that there must be a demonstration of how citizens get priority for government incentives and programmes. I don’t think anyone can think of a significant one. Singaporeans are even discriminated against for PhD scholarships in local universities (you must not be a Singaporean to qualify for many of them).
Malaysians pay half-price to visit attractions in their own country. They get similar discounts when they come to visit attractions in Singapore. Singaporeans pay full price for attractions in their own country.
Fellow Singaporeans, tell me you’re happy with this situation.
I google and found this site: http://www.chinapressusa.com/observer/2009-10/05/content_251468.htm
These Ah Tiongs are making remarks in response to the YouTube video post by their online journalist. I have tried to post my comment in Mandarin, not sure if it will be screened through. As follows:
你们这些死中国人！到处大声说话，污染我们的环境。我们是华人，不是中国人，请分清楚。到新加坡来，却把你们的恶习也统统“引进”，是不是真想把我们也一国两制呀？来这里英文却不学好，要新加坡人屈就只用华语和你们沟通。你们可别忘了我们还有马来族、印族同胞等。我能在这里好好地用华语与你们沟通，还算是“反华急先锋”吗？
可笑！
When a Singaporean Opposition member (JBJ / CSJ) slaps their wrist, the PAP Government send him to jail.
When a PR slaps their cheek, the PAP Government turn the other cheek to her.
When Singaporeans complain, the PAP Government act deaf. It goes in one ear and out the other (eg FT / NS).
When PRs / Foreigners complain, they are acted on immediately.. same priority as citizens for children’s schooling.. same priority as citizens for buying re-sale HDB apartments etc. etc. etc.
Is it any wonder then that we all want to downgrade our citizenship and apply for PR status to get better treatment by our own Government ??
Our Great Leader and his son, Our Dear Leader, are no better than their namesakes in Pyongyang.
Probably worse, because they appreciate their citizens better there than ours here.
seems the problem is not between prs and citizens, but between citizens and govn.
sg ppl, pls remember sg cant survive without new comers, thats why sg gov welcomes new comers all the time, otherwise u and ur country will be drawn back to malaysia.
what lumping of statistcs?
cna report 28 sep
“The Department of Statistics report, issued on Monday, also showed that there were 3.73 million Singapore residents and 1.25 million non-residents.
Singapore Residents and Permanent Residents formed 75% of the population, with the resident population growing 2.55% in 2009, from the 3.1% total growth over the previous year.
The statistics compiled through the register-based approach indicated that the number of Singapore citizens grew to 3.20 million. This is as the number of permanent residents rose to 0.53 million, while non-resident numbers eased to a growth of 4.8% compared to 10% seen in earlier years. ”
so citizens =3.2million, pr=0.53million, non=1.25million
What a bunch of moaning minnes, small minded Singaporeans. The lady in question is Not a Singaporean Citizen but a Citizen of CHINA. Lest you forget, Singapore is a nipple of a country of 4 Million, and in the realm of world affairs is a Nobody. Without preferential trade granted by CHINA, Singapore today would have joined the economic has beens like Zimbabwe. Be thankful Singapore was mentioned by the lady in question, for putting Singapore on the map.
Think again, without China, Singaporeans will be on a diet of grass and recycled water from sewers.
Think again, without China, Singaporeans will be on a diet of grass and recycled water from sewers.
Adam report, if it is so as you asserted, can you explain why we are in such a dire straits
AFTER 44 GOOD YEARS IS THE FAVOURITE EXPRESSION I HEAR EVER SO OFTEN IN CYBERSPACE???
i think she is not wrong when she declared her patriotism to her country, since she is still a citizen of China. but what she shouldnt flash her blue IC to media. it made like Spore IC is a cheap thing and easy for people from China to get.
There is no difference between citizens and PRs, except for that pittance of a marginal percentage point in health care. PRs don’t get to vote, so are citizens. Citizens don’t get to vote too because of walkovers, especially in huge GRCs.
To Pass-on and Adam-Rapport
This government and 154 had been using such terms (with definition)
Singaporean = Citizen + PR
Local = Citizen + PR
Resident = Citizen + PR
So, even if Zhang YuanYuan is only a PR, she is a Singaporean by our government definition.
People know that the china girl is not a citizen, she is still a china national. The point people are putting through is that, Singapore spent or going to spend, millions of $$ integrating them, they are allowed to compete with citizens in everyway, including fighting with the garang guni men for recyclables. Citizens give up homes, jobs, places in schools to entice them, what happens? Gahmen treat them well, better than citizens, they still do not stay.
burntbread, she humiliated us, get into China state owned news channel and a book followed, whose wealth and whose pain that follow?
We been used and continued to be used with “blessings”
Surely there must NEED be a “good character” clause in our immigration laws to permit the Government to declare someone as “prohibited” alien if he or her conduct and character is prejudicial to the good name, reputation and interest of this country.
Every other immigrant welcoming country has. That how they throw out any PRs who commit any offence or engage in any undesirable behaviour whilst holding a legal residency status.
Maybe our Government should take action to cancel Zhang Yuan Yuan permanent residence to deter another episode of our national humiliation.
Or unless there is NO such provision in our immigration laws which must leave our Government paralyzed in all its embarassing circumstances?
prs are not singaporeans, they are foreigners.
The Chinese national is really pitiful, together those forumer who spoke on her behalf. I think those who berated her for showing the blue ic is mainly against PR. They falied to recognize the difference between local(pink ic) and PR(blue ic). The govt of this country has indicated that PR committed crimes also kena deported.
To PASS-ON
Zhang-YuanYuan is PR. By singapore government press released and 154 report, PR is singaporean check all those press released when they talked about employment. Correct me if i am wrong, there was a time, when the government say, so-many and so-many jobs created goes to singaporeans, they include the PR in those statistics…. until such a time, people noticed, then they change into using local.
Any brothers/sisters, can you all contribute into effort to dig out those old newspaper.
TO pass on @ Wed, 7th Oct 2009 2:05 pm
http://www.mom.gov.sg/publish/momportal/en/communities/others/mrsd/statistics/Explanatory_Notes.html#DES
Data on the number of local employees are compiled from the Central Provident Fund (CPF) Board’s administrative records of active contributors defined as local employees who have at least one CPF contribution paid for him/her. A local employee is any Singapore citizen or permanent resident who is employed by an employer under a contract of service or other agreement entered into in Singapore. Every local employee and his/her employer are required to make monthly contributions to the CPF which is a compulsory savings scheme to provide workers financial security in old age and helps meet the needs of healthcare, home-ownership, family protection, and asset enhancement.
Data on foreigners working in Singapore are compiled from the stock of foreigners on valid work passes issued by the Ministry of Manpower. Foreigners can work in Singapore only if they have valid work passes issued by the Ministry of Manpower, upon application by their employers.
The number of self-employed persons is estimated from the Labour Force Survey. The self-employed comprises persons aged 15 years and over who performed some work for profit or family gain, in cash or in kind.
Zhang-YuanYuan has a PR, she is not a foreigner. The source is from Ministry of Manpower Singapore, TODAY.
Not so long ago, before the term LOCAL is being introduced, the term SINGAPOREAN was used. There was a lot of protest, and the MOM eventually changed it into LOCAL.
Dear brothers/sisters, please chip in your effort to find the old newspaper , in 2004-2006, that was the time “Singaporean” was used.
TO pass on @ Wed, 7th Oct 2009 2:05 pm
Zhang-YuanYuan has a valid PR, a blue IC, she is a LOCAL, she is NOT a foreigner, A foreigner need a valid work pass to work in singapore.
TO will4 @ Wed, 7th Oct 2009 4:41 pm
You wrote: “They falied to recognize the difference between local(pink ic) and PR(blue ic). ”
You are wrong.
pink IC = singapore citizen.
blue IC = permanent resident.
both Pink ic AND Blue ic ARE LOCAL
Of course, the ministries are going to do that to cover their ass.
The difference between their govt and our govt is that they are nicer to their people and have better immigration policies.
If they don’t reply this way, how do they cover their ass?
What else have they not pretend to be working in S’pore but in reality is not working well of late?
This is peanuts in comparison with the Mas Selamat and geylang food poisoning failures?
The GIC/TH failed investment is another more important failure that they pretend to be ok.
This govt are not people of calibre. They are lousy 3rd class actors.
Residents = citizens + Permanent Residents (PRs)
http://www.singstat.gov.sg/stats/themes/people/hist/popn.html
Data for 1980 and earlier Censuses refer to all persons present in Singapore and enumerated on Census Day. Data from 2000 onwards are based on the register-based approach. Data from 2003 – 2007 have been revised wef Feb 2008.
Total population comprises Singapore residents and non-residents. Resident population comprises Singapore citizens and permanent residents.
This govt is only good at changing words to qualify and explain their failures. Playing with words like long-term to explain failed investments and replacing inability to attract and keep talent with strategic differences.
That helps them to avoid doing the real work.
BASICALLY PRs SHOULD NOT BE GIVEN BENEFITS MEANT FOR CITIZENS,
LIKE ABLE TO BUY PUBLIC HOUSING, SUBSIDY IN UNI etc.
Migrants are fine every country has them. But:
a) can we improve ths PR/ new citizen screening approval requirements? I know as many bad ones as good ones, who cant contribute effectively at work, refuse to integrate socially, insistent that they be accomodated because they are from another country
b) level the playing field, e.g. PR/ new citizen do NS. I am 34, PES C2L2 (non-combat fit due to injury sustained during in camp training) and I am still doing incamp training and probably another 3 more incamps to go. Why should a new citizen, fit and healthy in his 20s/ 30s be exempted? Why should tax payer pay for their education? There are many poorer off Singaporean who could be helped with that money.
c)integrate or leave. Why should we tolerate them hanging flags of other countries? Or their children not having to NS when mine has to?
“Zhang-YuanYuan has a valid PR, a blue IC, she is a LOCAL, she is NOT a foreigner, A foreigner need a valid work pass to work in singapore.”
thats ur explanation, no other countries count prs into their populations, sg only has 3.7 m ppl, that’s why sg gov wants good-looking data in the statistic.
Zhang YY actually is a local resident of china, not sg. SG PR is 5-year work pass in fact. If u ask Zhang be loyal to the country of SG, then what to do after the blue card expires in 5 yrs?
If its only PR why allow them to own a Singapore HDB which is supposed to be Public Housing with 99 lease for residents?
She love her country no one has an issue, the problem is she flashed her blue IC on the national news, trying to rub salt on wounds?
We kenna smack in our face by others our own country men still criticised ouresleves as not open minded enough. We are moving down the chain from obedience to fools pandering to the whims of whoever is from a more powerful country
Actually, the reaction of the PAP people on the FTs given this kind of demonstration from the FT, shows their desperation.
There must be something seriously wrong with what they got us into and they need the FTs to cover their (PAP) asses.
The difference between a local n PR is that in term of buying HDB flat, the PR can only buy from resale market.
@Passon:
“thats ur explanation, no other countries count prs into their populations, sg only has 3.7 m ppl, that’s why sg gov wants good-looking data in the statistic.
Zhang YY actually is a local resident of china, not sg. SG PR is 5-year work pass in fact. If u ask Zhang be loyal to the country of SG, then what to do after the blue card expires in 5 yrs?”
Passon, obviously you either have a poor grasp of English or that you talk through your other hole.
What we are generally pissed off is the SINGAPOREAN GOVERNMENT lumped PR and CITIZENS together as SINGAPOREANS. And when we raised this matter to the Government about that CHINA SLUT, they changed their tune that she is only a PR not a Singaporean.
We EXPECT SOME DECENCY FROM THAT CHINA SLUT. As well as the likes of you if you happen to be a RESIDENT or a FOREIGNER here in my country.
Understand?
WHAT GETS OUR GOAT IS THAT SHE FLASHED HER I/C TO **PROVOKE** A REACTION FROM US. That means, she doesn’t respect the worth of the I/C.
Understand?
I suspect you must be some typical ineffectual Westerner.
Just watched the YouTube video on Zhang Yuan Yuan on CCTV. Wow! Those beautiful leggy long legs AND slim bodies with tiny waists marching in sync! What more could you ask for, no wonder National Population Secretariat gave her a Spore PR leh! Where can you find such beautiful women like Zhang Yuan Yuan in Spore unless you are from China?
Also, Spore National Day parade, where can you find such leggy women with slim waists marching? All you see are fugly women only!!!
I recalled sometime ago the Straits Times also did a news article on an Aussie PR with Spore citizenship doing his NS. His parents immigrated when he was about 5 years old & he was brought up in Perth, WA at a young age. He mentioned that his parents persuaded him to return to Spore to do his NS & he went willingly. Also was teased for his Aussie accent in his platoon. Someone with archived ST subscription can dig it up easily.
So 2 sides of the story here, Spore PR in China boasting about her love for her motherland outright in front of 1 billion China viewers & an Aussie PR willing to serve his country of birth, Spore.
EXCEPT that Aussie PR is more modest & does not show his PR stamp in his Spore passport as proof of his Aussie residency unlike the military might of China’s PR propaganda machine exploiting love of motherland mama drama.
Look at it this way, the China gahment is painfully aware that lots of China professionals are emigrating from China to USA, Canada, Europe, Australia & NZ. So to show that a China national is willing to flash her Spore PR card on national TV is a GIGANTIC Public Relatons Coup that no China gahment policy to revert the brain drain can achieve. Its a resounding one liner statement that China is EXCELLENT, all other countries shitty! So maybe, next year China propaganda machine would have to do MUCH MUCH better job by making sure that a USA PR flashes her green card on CCTV. Eagerly awaited!
In general, I agreed that the Spore PR residency is given out too freely. She does not even have a professional business degree yet & she was given a PR status. Same with China kids studying in Spore primary schools who are given PRs too while their China study mamas get some work pass.
Another point that bugs me about Zhang Yuan Yuan are her pictures. A picture tells a thousand words. How did she finance her studies? She stayed in a condominium in Bukit Timah & the way she dresses? Is not the rental there pricey?
So could Zhang Yuan Yuan be moonlighting as a KTV lounge hostess as quick bucks are made there plus those “extra” services after leaving the KTV lounge with male patrons? My gut feeling is that she is perhaps involved in that trade & if so, that counts for Spore PR residency? Where is the moral judgment here? Are there any face to face interviews before one becomes a Spore PR? USA & Canada conducts such interviews for would be prospective PR applicants to their countries to assess their suitability?
Finally, concurred with most forummers that Spore gahment has lost it by awarding PRs to non-skilled folks. The PR selection process is not rigorous enough.
At the end of the day, money just can’t buy Love ………..
Her Love for her Motherland.
This should be an aspiration of us all, no matter where we are.
In fact for many many years, China has been luring her overseas citizens and ex-citizens back to the Motherland. She has been quite sucessful in getting back foreign-trained graduates, nuclear, space and rocketry scientists, economists, entrepreneurs, etc which has help in one way or another develop China to it’s present modern state. And they have done it not for money or fame but for the love of their Motherland.
“It appears that the ministers, MPs and civil servants have missed the point altogether again which is a reflection of how disconnected they are from the real sentiments on the ground.”
Of course, they missed the “point” altogether because this “point” was never brought up on Tan Keng Hong’s letter. Why don’t you try writing them too, this time pointing out your “point” so they won’t miss it.
“The crux of the entire saga does not lie in Zhang Yuanyuan’s public announcement of her allegiance to China, but in the liberal immigration policies of the Singapore government and the generous benefits and perks enjoyed by PRs.”
How is it different from PRship offered by other countries, like from the countries where Singaporeans apply for PR status? Aren’t Singaporeans who are PRs of other countriers enjoying the perks and benefits of those countries too?
you all really make a fuss out of this issue. what’s wrong of showing nationalism? the same applies to singaporean abroad who celebrates national day or singapore day in foreign countries even though they’ve been resident for respective countries for so long.
the one that you all must criticize is all those Singaporeans who leave this country and become other countries’ citizens.
Proud Singaporean, I hope your pride in nationalism will NOT be UPGRADED by a foreigner DEGRADING your national identity on their nationally-sanctioned and propaganda-contaminated media MORE THAN YOUR FOOLISH SOLEMN SWEARING OF NATIONAL PLEDGE on our national day only to be nicely “reminded” that it is all a highfaluting aspiration.
Or are you are an undying fool taken for a ride on an infinite endless journey of deceived gullibility?
The government should not be so liberal in awarding PR status to foreigners. Their policy is greatly flawed and urgently needs to be reviewed and revised. In my opinion, PR status should be given only to first, foreign spouses of Singaporeans and thereafter, to those who can genuinely commit to Singapore and with some kind of an assured/guaranteed allegiance.