Given the population composition of locals and foreigners – which he believes is about 55% Singaporeans and 45% foreigners – Mr Er said “it is exceptional that we only encounter the occasional online flares and local/foreigner altercation.” “I believe that such expressions of anti-foreign sentiments are a manifestation of the malignant effects of the open immigrant policy on real people’s lives.” He added: “It’s too easy to dismiss it as ‘bigotry’ and ‘hate’. Too easy. Until we start addressing the gaps of this ultra-open immigrant policy, this kind of anti-foreign sentiment will persist.” “If you choose to dismiss everything as xenophobia, you will find more of such outbursts. The practical majority know that it isn’t the people, it’s the policies put in place that made things as they are now. If you choose to ignore this, you will find the practical majority diminishing in numbers as all their concerns are pushed aside and conveniently labelled as xenophobia.”
Posted on: Sat, 19 Apr 2014 10:30:38 +0000
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