I attended my second “Coffeeshop Talk” of the year two days before the Presidential Elections. I probably wouldn’t have signed up since it was on the evening of a weekday. But when I realised that BG (NS) Tan Chuan Jin would be the guest of honor, I decided to go to take a look. I had really wanted to hear this man speak, because someone who called me a PAP-hater was hysterical when he was introduced as a candidate. It was as if he hit a gold vein. The fact that he is also Minister of State for the Ministry of National Development [MND] and the Ministry of Manpower [MOM], and the topic will revolve around his portfolio also compelled me to go.

On top of which, another friend who is an SDP supporter said she has been following his Facebook page and the comments from his supporters are usually respectful (and not the usual sychopantic responses from the ‘lunatic fringe’ on the PAP side of the political divide). Furthermore, BG Tan maybe our future Prime Minister one day and I’ll like to hear the man speak and hopefully he wouldn’t turn out to be another Chan Chun Sing. (Sorry, MG (NS) Chan. the Internet really did you in with your ‘Lanfang’ and ‘kee chiew’ video. It’s going to be hard for general impression on you to improve, though I suspect you can find solace in your million dollar paycheck and knowing that Lim Swee Say is a even bigger clown.)

Well, I arrived around 6:30pm (the stated time of the event) but BG Tan did not arrive until around 7:15pm. I had an overdose of Hokkien songs, and coffee with Ya-kun style bread while waiting but then I sort of expected that since evening traffic in the CBD area is utter madness. It was a little disappointing since I thought one of the things the PAP wanted to fix was arriving late. BG Tan didn’t apologise for being late either, though I suspect he might have been told the event is 7:30pm. (If that is the case, it is clear that even though the NTUC is nominally a non-government organisation, they have not taken the Prime Minister’s advice to heart.)

He give an introduction of himself on his feet (perhaps used to doing so when he was in the military) which is something I didn’t see from the previous guests. For a high ranking officer he didn’t seem to talk down to his audience. I couldn’t really remember much from what he said, but from his tone I felt he was sincere, and was very much attempting to appeal to our logical selves to think about the issues facing our country and how we should participate and shape it for the future. I find that promising from one who would one day be part of the future leadership of our nation and sincerely I hope he wouldn’t fall from grace and go the way of Vivian Balakrishnan, who used to look promising at the beginning.

I really didn’t catch much from the question and answer section, because I was feeling rather sleepy (in spite of the coffee). However, I did manage to note down that BG Tan mentioned the the MOM does not intend to take an extreme approach in restricting the flow of foreign workers. The MOM is reviewing the employment guidelines and it would be studying the approach taken by other countries to determine a more middle approach. MOM will also be more proactive to remind foreign companies operating in Singapore the need to employ Singaporeans. I’m not really sure whether this is just paying lip service but I find consolation that the MOM is aware of malpraticises in which certain heads of departments in certain companies are hiring (in my words) ‘their entire village’ and not Singaporeans.

He also mentioned that at times we might need to bring to the attention of the MOM when employers manipulate loopholes or resort to unfair practices. On that matter, the MOM will be find ways to catch and punish these employers. BG Tan reminded us that the low birthrate in our country has left very little choices for the government, as it will have to augment the population through immigration to mitigate the possibility of a higher burden on our young (in terms of the taxes). After all, the government will be hard pressed to pay for the subsidies as the current population ages while the working young population diminishes.

This reminds me of a conversation I had with a friend who works in MAS, who once mentioned that the government at times cannot talk about certain specifics in their policies due to the repurcussions. Throughout this session, there was very little mention of the matter of how ‘talented’ these foreign immigrants might be. It was simply a logical explanation of the difficulties facing our nation. Though I had thought of the fact that our low birth rate is further driven lower due to the higher competition we face from the immigrants, I had decided not to point out the obvious without anything add on. Call it an attempt by the minister to sell the party position if you like, but at least it was a revelation on what drove their decisions.

If there’s anything I took away from this session, I think I would say that attending these sessions prevents me from being driven to the extreme like those who read Temasek Review Emeritus primarily as their source of information. Even though I would prefer such sessions to be more of a “we talk, they listen” kind of feedback session, it does help a little in helping me moderate my already extremist views and bias against the PAP government.

It’s been abount just 100 over days since the General Election and I am willing to give the new government time to formulate and excute new policies even though it remains to be seen whether these policies are just skin deep, “quick fixes” to placate us. I am however, not a very patient man. So I expect to see some results in the form of action taken against some employers soon.