Minister Calls Out Progress Singapore Party Over India Free‑Trade Pact
In a lively exchange on the Senate floor, Law & Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam took Aim! at the Progress Singapore Party (PSP) for singling out Singapore’s free‑trade pact with India. He accused the party of stirring xenophobia, using race as political bait and, in the minister’s words, “sending a noisy signal to the electorate.”
What Went Down in the Debate
During a full‑hour discussion, Shanmugam pressed non‑constituency MP Leong Mun Wai on several points, probing the PSP’s motion on foreign talent and the infamous Singapore‑India Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (Ceca). The MP tried to get the government to hand out more statistics on the flow of foreign nationals, but the minister repeatedly brushed him off.
- Misreading Ceca? Shanmugam repeatedly asked; “Does the pact actually allow Indians to move freely into Singapore?” Leong answered that the motion was not about the legal text, but about “economic impacts.”
- Unclear about the data? Leong said he’d need concrete numbers. The minister shrugged, “If you don’t know the answer, say you don’t.”
- Racial undertones? When asked if the PSP’s comments could be perceived as racist, Leong eventually admitted “some people might see a racial undertone.”
- PSP’s stance on NTAs? The MP mentioned other FTAs—China, the US, Australia—to defend his concern that he wasn’t singling out Ceca.
“We Need Foreign Talent, But Only the Right Amount”
After a brief clarification round, Shanmugam acknowledged the need for skilled foreign professionals, managers, executives and technicians (PMETs) to keep Singapore’s economy humming. The country currently hosts roughly 350,000 of them.
Leong said he’d need a government estimate of how many local workers might be displaced before he could propose an exact number. “Right now, I need more data,” he explained.
Key Take‑aways
- Shanmugam accused PSG of “race‑baiting” by pointing fingers at India.
- Leong “stood up” for free trade accords but was criticised for potential racism.
- Singapore needs foreign PMETs, but the NSMP is looking for a balanced approach.
For more on how Singapore’s leaders are navigating these tricky trade‑talks, stay tuned to our updates.
