Rare mass rally in Singapore demands immigration curbs

Singapore, Feb 16 (AFP) More than 1,000 Singaporeans attended the city-state's biggest protest rally in recent memory today, amid growing public indignation over predictions of a surging foreign population. The peaceful rally, held at an officially designated protest zone, was staged by a civic group after the government said foreigners could account for nearly half of the densely packed island's population in less than 20 years. Organisers estimated the crowd at 3,000, but AFP reporters on the scene said between 1,000 and 1,500 people had taken part despite afternoon downpours, making it the biggest protest in Singapore in recent years. Rally leaders, who used Facebook and other online platforms to draw support, openly attacked the People's Action Party (PAP), which has been in power for more than 50 years, over its immigration and other policies. "The large crowd here shows the PAP government that they are not afraid any more, they don't want to hide behind a moniker on Facebook to show their displeasure," said chief organiser Gilbert Goh, a former opposition candidate for parliament. "They are showing their deep displeasure with the white paper," he told AFP, referring to a controversial population projection issued last month. A spokesman for the Singapore Police told AFP that it was not monitoring the size of the crowd, which was largely clad in black, armed with clappers and clutched a sea of umbrellas. There were no signs of riot police in or around the rally venue, a grassy park where protesters are allowed to address the public in a spot known as Speakers' Corner. A government policy paper last month said the population could range between 6.5 and 6.9 million by 2030, with foreigners making up 45 per cent because Singaporeans are not producing enough babies to sustain economic growth. Citizens currently make up 62 per cent of the current population of 5.3 million, of whom more than a third are foreign-born. A banner at the rally read: "Save Singapore - Say NO to 6.9 million." "Stop selling memberships. We are not a country club," read a handmade poster, referring to naturalisation. Protests are rare in Singapore, a wealthy island republic known for strict security and social controls, but Facebook, Twitter and other social media have set the tone for political debate in recent years. (AFP) AJR HKR 02161839 NNNN