Singapore - Govt needs to acknowledge segments of populations left behind: Shanmugam

SINGAPORE: Law and Foreign Affairs Minister K Shanmugam said that even as the government continues to push for growth, it must acknowledge there is a segment of the population which feels it is left behind.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the official opening of an upgraded Chinese Development Assistance Council (CDAC) centre at Yishun, Mr Shanmugam said the government must do all it can to help.

The old Yishun Student Service Centre has been given a new look, and will serve not just students but workers and families too.

Mr Shanmugam used the centre as an example of how those who fall behind can be given a helping hand.

He said economic growth must remain a priority, and the challenge for the government is to stay ahead amid global competition. But at the same time, it needs to make sure that growth is inclusive.

Mr Shanmugam said: "If you are not getting the full benefit of growth, of course you will feel you are getting left behind. And there is a small section of the population which feels like that about the government and we must acknowledge that. We must acknowledge that as a genuine, legitimate feeling, and we must say what we can do to try and help."

Mr Shanmugam though conceded that it may be tough convincing Singaporeans that the government will take care of those in need.

He said communication will be key - a point that many People's Action Party MPs have raised in Parliament this week.

"You got to put your hand on your heart. First issue is you got to focus on it, accept it as a problem and then work hard at it."

He added while the government is there to serve the people, it's a many helping hands approach that will ensure no one slips though the cracks.

"It is the people and the government working together to try and find the solutions and moving forward," he said.

Separately, when asked about the case of two Singapore women made to do nude squats at a Johor detention centre for alleged immigration offences, Mr Shanmugam reiterated that the issue must be resolved in accordance with Malaysian laws.

He added Singapore has been told that Malaysian authorities are still finalising its investigation report.

Mr Shanmugam said: "What we want to know is how is the treatment of this case being taken and is it in accordance with malaysian procedures? A report has been promised to us. We had indicated when the news first came out about the incident that we are very concerned. These are Singapore citizens, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is very concerned about the reporting and we wanted to know exactly what happened and why it happened? And we have been promised by the Malaysian authorities that they will do a thorough investigation and let us know."

- CNA/fa


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