Govt has to and will deliver high quality: K Shanmugam

SINGAPORE: Law and Foreign Affairs Minister K Shanmugam said the range of views expressed about the 6.9 million population projection set out in the White Paper are completely understandable.

He was speaking to reporters at a hong bao presentation ceremony at his Chong Pang Division.

He said businesses are unhappy about the lack of growth in the labour force but there are also those who are concerned about the 6.9 million figure.

"They say ’I have difficulties with infrastructure, transport, housing with today’s population and you want to increase it even more, doesn’t make sense,’ — that’s a reaction and it is understandable.

"The government has got to explain two points. The first is we have to and will solve the current infrastructure problems and second for this long term planning, whatever the size of the population, 6.9 million is not the target, the infrastructure must be adequate and deliver high quality of life.

"That has to be a cast iron position that the government has to deliver and will deliver," he said.

— CNA/ck