POPULATION AND TALENT DIVISION

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POPULATION AND TALENT DIVISION: 5.

Assoc. Prof. Paulin Tay Straughan asked the Prime Minister what is the primary function of the Population and Talent Division and how will it complement the roles of the National Population Committee and the National Integration Council.

6.

Mr Teo Siong Seng asked the Prime Minister (a) when will the Population and Talent Division be set up; and (b) what kind of programmes will be put in place to manage the impact of Singapore's immigration policy.

Mr Wong Kan Seng (for the Prime Minister): Sir, with your permission, I would like to answer Question Nos.5 and 6 together.

Mr Speaker: Yes.

Mr Wong Kan Seng: The key function of the Population and Talent Division (PTD) is to formulate, coordinate and review whole of Government policies related to population and talent. PTD's responsibilities will encompass three main policy areas that are currently under the purview of the National Population Secretariat, the National Integration Council and other Ministries, such as the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports, the Ministry of Manpower and the Ministry of Trade and Industry. These are: (i) population augmentation, (ii) talent attraction, immigration, naturalisation and integration; and (iii) engaging overseas Singaporeans.

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These policy issues have close linkages with one another. PTD's formation will bring them together under one management and centre of responsibility, and enable policy responses to be considered and addressed more holistically.

The National Population Secretariat is working towards the inauguration of PTD at the beginning of next year. As time is needed to work with the various Ministries on portfolio changes and the staff movements, more details will be made available when these are completed.

Assoc. Prof. Paulin Tay Straughan: Just one supplementary question, Sir. Part of the PTD's aim is to manage the inflow of foreign labour and foreign visitors. In the fabric of Singapore society, given that the frustration with immigration concerns seems to stem from the ground, how would the PTD receive inputs from regular Singaporeans at the base level?

Mr Wong Kan Seng: I think we do not need to set up any special channel for inputs from Singaporeans on how they feel about the inflow of people. We see that every day. We hear that every day. We read about it every day. We can see that in our television news and newspapers. We can hear that in dialogues and in sessions that Ministers and Members of Parliament hold with their residents. There are enough channels of inputs. In fact, we conduct briefings to our grassroots organisations and that is also a channel for them to give us their views on how they feel about such issues. It is not as straightforward an issue as to say, to take in foreigners and then help to integrate them and so on. We have to create the space for both groups to get together and for them to understand one another, and understand why there is a need for us to continue to keep our doors open to attract people to come and work here and support and contribute to our economy.