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Hard-headed policies necessary to tackle challenges: Chuan-Jin

SINGAPORE — Citing the foreign manpower issue and the clamour by some for more cycling paths as examples, Manpower Minister Tan Chuan-Jin yesterday echoed Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s recent remarks about the need for the Republic’s policies to be hard-headed at times, as it balances between the head and the heart in addressing society’s different needs.

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SINGAPORE — Citing the foreign manpower issue and the clamour by some for more cycling paths as examples, Manpower Minister Tan Chuan-Jin yesterday echoed Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s recent remarks about the need for the Republic’s policies to be hard-headed at times, as it balances between the head and the heart in addressing society’s different needs.

Speaking at a dialogue with about 180 Keat Hong residents during his ministerial community visit to the constituency, Mr Tan noted that the tightening of the foreign manpower policy has made it challenging for businesses here. He said: “While we want to look after the interest of Singaporean businessmen to (help them) build the stage … at the same time, there is also the broader challenge of congestion and numbers, and you want to keep that growth at a much more sustainable rate. What is the correct nuance?”

At the same time, some are calling for further tightening to protect Singaporeans and their jobs, he said. But this “seemingly pro-Singaporean” mindset is but a fallacy.

“The truth is, competition is happening whether the foreigners are here or not. Jobs are being outsourced to other countries … So this is a very clear dilemma of how you balance head and heart,” he added.

The Government faces a similar dilemma in expanding cycling path networks: To carve out space for bicycles, people must be prepared to forgo space for cars, pavements and grasslands, said Mr Tan.

Speaking at the National University of Singapore Society (NUSS) 60th Anniversary Lecture earlier this month, Mr Lee said that while the Government of late has been lauded by people for “showing more heart rather than head”, the country must not shy away from hard-headed policies when it comes to tackling challenges such as retirement adequacy, healthcare financing, immigration and the inflow of foreign workers.

“We must never be hard-hearted, but we must never shy away from being hard-headed,” Mr Lee had said.

During the 80-minute dialogue yesterday, the Keat Hong residents made presentations to Mr Tan on topics such as helping the elderly and the less fortunate, as well as promoting community spirit. It was followed by a question-and-answer session with the minister that was dominated by municipal concerns such as the constant congestion problem at the Choa Chu Kang MRT and LRT stations.

To relieve congestion on the overall MRT network, Mr Tan pointed out, the Government is increasing the number of MRT lines, and is also looking at increasing the number of trains and their frequency.

Choa Chu Kang GRC Member of Parliament Zaqy Mohamad, who is also Adviser to Keat Hong Grassroots Organisation, cited two factors contributing to the overcrowding: Ageing sleepers, which have resulted in trains having to slow down, thus reducing the frequency, and the fact that Bukit Panjang is currently not served by an MRT line.

The congestion will ease when the sleepers are replaced by the middle of next year, said Mr Zaqy. The Bukit Panjang MRT station — which is along the Downtown Line — will also open in the next two years or so. The Jurong Region Line, expected to be completed by around 2025, will further improve the situation, he added.

During his ministerial visit, Mr Tan launched Care on Wheels, an initiative to ferry needy residents — such as the wheelchair-bound and those who cannot afford transport — for medical appointments. The service is currently run by 14 resident volunteers, and more have signed up.

He also abseiled from the 11th storey of a block of HDB flats, as part of a new adventure interest group, Project Cliffhanger, set up by the Lam Soon Community Club.

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