IPS News, 31 May 2012
Local journalist Jaya Prakash argued that the number of foreigners in Singapore has reached an "unacceptable" level. He believes that the government is biased towards foreigners, allowing them to sweep up jobs that should be given to locals and fill places in schools meant for Singaporeans.
As a result, he said, the latter are forced to accept lower pay, for less desirable work, which ultimately results in a lower quality of life for many locals.
In an interview with IPS Sadasivan explained that the two most incendiary issues surrounding immigration are education and military service.
While all young Singaporean men past the age of 17 are required to spend two and a half years in the armed forces, foreign nationals are only obliged to send their sons, while the principal immigration applicant is exempt from compulsory military service.
Meanwhile, a growing number of Chinese and Indian nationals are being admitted to Singaporean universities while many eligible Singaporean students are denied access to higher learning institutions, a situation that has fueled widespread discontent.
"Singaporeans feel shortchanged," Sadasivan noted, adding, "In many other countries such issues could become emotionally charged enough to topple governments." Full story
