Singapore could accommodate six million people in future
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By Tan Qiuyi | Posted: 22 September 2012 1841 hrs
SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said Singapore could accommodate six million people in time to come.
The country's total population stood at 5.26 million as of December last year.
Mr Lee was speaking to Singaporeans at a Mandarin forum hosted by MediaCorp on Singapore's future.
30 Singaporeans took part in the forum. Among them are educators, young parents, seniors and new citizens.
They raised issues ranging from pre-school education to Singapore's low birth rate and population.
The host, veteran presenter Chun Guek Lay, asked what Singapore's ideal population target is if it is to continue its economic progress.
"It's very hard to give a concrete figure, because the situation is evolving. We're gradually increasing our land area, and if we rebuild our older towns, then we can accommodate more people. Today our population is over 5 million. In the future, 6 million or so should not be a problem. Beyond that, we'll have to think more carefully," said Mr Lee.
Participants were polled on whether they think Singaporeans are accepting of foreigners. 77 per cent said 'yes'.
Another poll asked if Singapore should continue welcoming immigrants to boost the country's low birth rate. 67 per cent agreed.
The cultural impact of immigration was a key issue at the forum. Some participants said newcomers do not just bring new skills and business networks, they also enrich Singapore's culture and language.
"In the lift, when I hear my neighbours and their children speak perfect Mandarin, it makes my day!" said Chew Chong Kheng, producer-presenter from MediaCorp YES 93.3FM.
But not all agreed.
"Immigrants are not local people, after all. They are here because there are benefits. If this changes one day, they can migrate once again," said financial consultant Vincent Chua.
"Every individual's motivations and attitudes are different. Immigrants are not the only ones who can leave Singapore, because they are not rooted here. Many overseas Singaporeans, they may come home, or they may stay overseas for many years and take up foreign citizenship. We all know this happens. If new immigrants are willing to take root here and be loyal to Singapore, we should treat them graciously," said PM Lee.
Singapore granted some 16,000 citizenships to foreigners in 2011. Between 2008 and 2010, the figure was between 18,000 and 20,000.
You can catch the programme "A Conversation with PM Lee" on Sunday, 23 September at 9pm on Channel 8.
- CNA -
We can afford six million: PM Lee
PM Lee says Singapore can afford to have a population size of six million in the near future. Up from 5.2m
Look at his facial expression, disgusting! Like sending us a message, underlying meaning to his disgusting facial expression !
Another drama from the pinky toad! Self directed and acted. All contents and response according to what the drama director expects.
Drama director must step down before more shit comes. This drama director will never receive any awards. Self directed dramas according to his desires not what the audience want will not have good rating.
This director must get all to act with him in public to make himself feel good so that he can continue to ignore the real problems audience are facing day in day out.
kkby trannies.
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"Every individual's motivations and attitudes are different. Immigrants are not the only ones who can leave Singapore, because they are not rooted here. Many overseas Singaporeans, they may come home, or they may stay overseas for many years and take up foreign citizenship. We all know this happens. If new immigrants are willing to take root here and be loyal to Singapore, we should treat them graciously," said PM Lee.
Proof spotted he wants Singaporeans out and foreigners in. kkby trannies!
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a lot of these foreigners in Singapore are not earning high according to the singapore standard. Complaints from them is the costs of living is very high, nobody or very few want to convert to singapore citizens.
O, they will be treated with graciousness only if they become singapore citizens. O I C
What a shame 
!epic fail , toadie drama director!
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what 77 and 67 percent? did all sgrean vote for this figure like election or not? sampling again?
nevermind, next election.....
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6 million people on a tiny red dot? Is PM on some kind of drugs?
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Guys, kill yourself..
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It doesn't matter how many aliens they import into Singapore, the PAP votes will still drop in 2016.
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must drop. i begin to suspect a comspiracy. f-stop two lolicy, cannot trust the main chinese population right. then import more fake singaporeans. i bet the casino scheme many years ago they thinking already. and right now they also already have plans for what's next many tyear s ahead. not wanting to solveand bring sg back to what the people we have in the past. now is to many immigrnts from theose undersdeveloped countries. and we also rely too much on those underdeveloped corrupted countries less than 1k talents.
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Originally posted by TIB1218R:
Guys, kill yourself..
please not bedok reservioir, try pulau ubin. i suggesting to have an area off pulau ubin to be called palau kamikaze -
6 million?
the next target will be 12 million
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Originally posted by troublemaker2005:
what 77 and 67 percent? did all sgrean vote for this figure like election or not? sampling again?
nevermind, next election.....
doesn't matter if this toady gets all to vote or not, he happy can liao!
drama drama to ease his guilty conscience. create more bad karma he will taste his own medicine when the time is ripe. hahaha.
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We know more foreigners means more money for the govt. It's money again!
We are left with no choice as the ruling party has been given mandate each election to do as they please.
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Originally posted by Mr Milo:
6 million?
the next target will be 12 million
yeh lor? figure they can anyhow pluck one. look foreard to next election. land increase? increas underground. now we all becum tunnel rats -
Originally posted by SJS6638:
We know more foreigners means more money for the govt. It's money again!
We are left with no choice as the ruling party has been given mandate each election to do as they please.
yep. more immgrants to vote for them - i think they also know and are scared already. -
6 is this yr next yr estimate..?
Greed is never enough.
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7 billion next time...
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read his lips.......
its his business as usual
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shameless brat
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PAP will nvr change......
fat hope.....
the only way is to vote as many them as possible out of parliament
no need talk more....
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for the benefit of those who are interested to watch and hear this toady and the selected Singaporeans, tune in to Channel 8 tonight at 9.00 pm.
I opt to watch other channel. It is a bad choice to watch and hear this incorrigible scumbag talked.
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m.
I opt to watch other channel. It is a bad choice to watch and hear this incorrigible scumbag talked.
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I no time to watch, as I am watching Liverpool vs MU match.
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mediacock inviting public to post to express your views.
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Originally posted by SJS6638:
It is a bad choice to watch and hear this incorrigible scumbag talked.
like father like son.