PM: S'pore must remain an open society while pursuing integration

While there will be issues arising from integrating locals and foreign talent, Singapore must remain an open society, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Aug 23.

"We know that these (issues) do arise, and we will continue to engage all the different groups... (but) our starting point is that we must remain an open society," he said at his first press conference since taking on the role of prime minister, adding that integration is a work in progress.

He was responding to a question about the issue of integration in the Indian community between local Indians and naturalised citizens that was addressed by Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong in his last interview with the press as prime minister.

In the wide-ranging interview, SM Lee had said that managing the "inherent tensions" between wanting social cohesion and bringing in immigrants was the "most difficult" issue he had to deal with.

PM Wong noted that the Indian and Chinese communities, particularly, will have issues in this area.