$10-million funding to help us to accept foreigners woh!
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SINGAPORE: A S$10 million fund has been set up by a government—led taskforce for projects that foster interaction between locals and new immigrants.
Outlining its plans for the first time on Wednesday, the National Integration Council (NIC) announced broad proposals to reach out to new immigrants through the community, schools and workplace.The aim is to get locals and new immigrants to expand their social circles to include each other. For instance, more new citizens and permanent residents (PRs) could be included in community festivities, such as celebrations of ethnic festivals and the National Day Parade.
Children could also have meals together with their new friends in school, and there could be more English classes for those unfamiliar with the language at work.
Formed in April this year, the NIC comprises private and public sector representatives, including six Cabinet ministers.
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong spoke at length about the need to absorb new arrivals while maintaining the tone of Singapore’s society. But the government also added that there is a limit to what it can do.
Community Development, Youth and Sports Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, who is also chairman of NIC, said: "The key thing now will, in fact, be the ground—up experience. Will people on the ground buy into this? Will they understand the need for this? Will they want to participate in these activities?
"I’ve got no illusions; this is not something that can be solved in one day or one week, or even one year. It’s a long—term initiative."
To speed things along, the government is pumping S$10 million over three years towards grassroots initiatives that promote integration. The money will fund up to 80 per cent of these projects.
However, one community—based group said cultural differences may not necessarily be a bad thing.
Tony Du, president of the Tian Fu Club, said: "A multiracial society working together, accepting each other’s differences and learning from each other. As long as we work for Singapore’s future, that is what counts."
Over 2,000 members of the Tian Fu Club came from China and most of them are now either Singapore citizens or PRs.
On how the government will adjust the inflow of new immigrants, Dr Balakrishnan said more details will be revealed when the high—level Economic Strategies Committee releases its recommendations.
— CNA/so (source : Channel News Asia) -
A nation can be integrated by money? haha joke.
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Many of my friends felt that they are minorities in a country that the are born. You?
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they proudly announce it that they are willing to spend $10m of tax payer money to fix a problem they have created.
all this could have been avoided if they screen the so call FT or FL they let in.
u just gota love the way they made every failure/mistake look these good.
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continue in existing thread..