Most of Singapore population info available in public domain: DPM Teo

SINGAPORE: MP for Aljunied GRC Sylvia Lim has asked if Singapore’s population data could be made public.

In reply, Deputy Prime Minister and Home Affairs Minister Teo Chee Hean said most of the information is already available in the public domain.

Mr Teo said: "In some cases, we provide aggregated information or data instead of a more detailed breakdown because it may not be in our interests to do so.

"It may have implications on specific groups or persons or create sensitivities in the countries of origin of those who are working here or those who might have migrated here.

"For example, while we seek to diversify the foreign workers in Singapore, it may not be in our interest to provide a detailed breakdown of the numbers and countries of origin of workers in each industry.

"For similar reasons, we provide data on the number of immigrants but broad categories on the regions they come from but have not provided the detailed breakdown of immigrants by specific countries of origin."

— CNA/ir