Unchecked population growth the mother of all problems: PPP
SINGAPORE — Unchecked population growth is the “mother of all problems” in the Republic, and its impact can be seen in the country’s job market, infrastructure and housing sector, charged People’s Power Party (PPP) secretary-general Goh Meng Seng yesterday.
SINGAPORE — Unchecked population growth is the “mother of all problems” in the Republic, and its impact can be seen in the country’s job market, infrastructure and housing sector, charged People’s Power Party (PPP) secretary-general Goh Meng Seng yesterday.
Speaking at his party’s maiden rally held at Bukit Gombak Stadium last night, Mr Goh stressed that the PPP is not xenophobic or against foreigners, but that it opposes the People’s Action Party (PAP) government’s “ruthless, irresponsible population growth policy”.
He added: “In all aspects of our lives, our jobs, our public spaces, our MRT breakdowns are because of overpopulation; our hospitals; our housing problems.”
The PPP team comprising market research director Syafarin Sarif, as well as newcomers Mr Lee Tze Shih, a property consultant, and finance manager Low Wai Choo is pitting itself against the PAP in Chua Chu Kang Group Representation Constituency.
Mr Goh also said local professionals, managers, executives and technicians (PMETs) have been affected by foreigners coming to Singapore.
“They want Temasek Holdings and GIC to invest in places like China and India. They sign free-trade agreements with them. In return, we open our doors wide ... There will always be younger, cheaper foreign PMETs who want to come to Singapore. Do you want them to replace our own PMETs?” he asked.
Mr Goh also spoke out against what he called efforts by the ruling party to “smear” the Opposition, referring to the PAP’s attempts at raising town council management issues during its campaign. Various ministers have spoken out about poor financial management by the Workers’ Party-run Aljunied-Hougang-Punggol East Town Council, attacking the opposition party for continuing to “mislead” and “run away” from answering important questions.
“The PAP will say we cannot run a town council. Ask the PAP, is it sure that all the Members of Parliament under its slate can run a town council? I don’t think all of them can. They employ people to do it. So what’s the big deal?” he asked.
Continuing on his rhetoric against the impact of foreigners entering the country, Mr Lee spoke about the competition faced in the workplace by local students who cannot gain entry into Singapore’s universities or afford to further their studies abroad.
“The PAP has told us that they allow only 20 to 25 per cent of university places for you and your children ... Those without the means to study overseas have to fight with foreigners who graduate from second-tier, third-tier universities, or even people with fake degrees or degrees from degree mills. They are making our people disadvantaged,” he said.
Noting that property prices have risen faster than incomes, he called for a shift away from treating housing as asset enhancement tools. Residential property should be viewed as places to live in, and not used for speculative investment, he said.
Mr Lee also called for the scrapping of some housing rules, such as restrictions on selling within five years.
In her speech, Ms Low said she would fight for subsidies for single parents, as she is one herself. She also noted that the current lack of subsidies for tertiary education.