ADUN SPEAKS | Regarding Singapore’s recent talks of their manpower policy update, Malaysians, especially those earning their living in the republic, are worried.

What made Singapore believe that their citizens are being discriminated and thus shunned away by the employers in their own country?

They already have a ratio system in place to ensure there are only a fraction of foreigners working in a single company.

No company in Singapore is allowed to hire foreigners more than the quota given.

Unless there is evidence of an increase in the unemployment rate in Singapore, employers should continue hiring talents that would help their businesses.

Nevertheless, in any country, an unemployment rate of less than three percent is considered full employment.

I believe it is the choice of Singaporeans to be employed and work, or not. There are still many job vacancies that they can grab there.

Malaysians contribute greatly to the growth of Singapore and its economy.

Some of the Malaysian top talents who are not appreciated here can be found working in Singapore.

Furthermore, the blue-collared workers from Malaysia are a force greatly needed in Singapore.

The lack of manpower and the interest of Singaporeans to take up these gritty jobs are another reason why foreigners, especially Malaysians, are given those jobs.

To say that these people are endangering the rice-bowl of Singaporeans is unfair.

This mere mention of “protecting Singaporeans from job discrimination” is foreshadowing the notion that many foreigners working in Singapore might be pushed back in terms of salary payment, promotion and any kind of workplace discrimination.

This would be a hit below the belt for all the Malaysians working in Singapore, which is estimated to be one million workers.

If unemployment in Singapore is really a problem, automation could be the main reason for it.

It is happening everywhere in the world and not only in Singapore.

Each country should look into training and preparing its workforce to be ready for the technologically-advanced working environment.

Even many restaurants now are equipped with self-order kiosks not managed by humans.

The need for human touch is declining in the technologically-advancing world. We have to step up to the challenge and not play the blame game on the expense of foreign workers who contribute greatly to the country’s economy.

Culturally and geographically, Malaysia and Singapore have a unique bond that no one can actually fathom.

There have been multiple disputes and falling outs amongst the neighbours, but our relationship has been and will continue to be a strong one.

Let this issue not create disharmony between the two countries and its inseparable people.

S RAMAKRISHNAN is Bekok assemblyperson and a Johor state executive councillor.