Whenever anyone debated with me on Iskandar, I always ask them this question. IF Singapore were to hit the 6.9 million target in terms of population, where would the new population be staying? Within the same island of Singapore? Look at the HDB prices of today. Can it continue to take the pressure of demand versus limited space? Reclaim more land? Hopefully they can buy more land from Indonesia because selling land is currently quite a sensitive topic. Especially if one side is trying to buy them illegally and the other side is trying to look good.
There was one who told me that Singapore is already planning on going underground. I think it’s best that we google and understand about their underground plan. If above the ground is already so expensive, I am not sure how the costs can be lowered when it’s built underground. Air-con and lighting would be enough to scare any planner for this underground new city. Oh yeah, what about the emotion of people who are staying ‘underground.’ Would the rich be taking the lead? If yes, then there’s hope. If not, then it would be another place where the poorer ones would be moving under. Get real, we are talking about usual people like you and me. There’s no need to do a survey, just ask you and me.
Coming back to the real issue. So, where would these people be staying? With better connections, definitely within Iskandar. Places nearest to transportation hubs with access into Singapore within 15-20 minutes and not the current 2 hours everyday during peak hours. Condos with full facilities which are jointly built by Singaporean developers tend to be more trusted currently but once the surge starts, it will boom. Yeah, I am very sure people would now point out that crime rate is high and that these people would prefer to study in Singapore schools etc. As long as that new population can fit into Singapore without any issue, I am very sure they are right.
However, I think my argument has a flaw now. The number I used is wrong. The target should be 10 million and not 6.9 million. This is if Liu Thai Ker has his way. He is the man often credited as the architect of modern Singapore. He said that the future of Singapore lies with population growth. He gave a sobering number. Assuming Singapore has 10 million population and the growth of population is at 1 percent, it meant that as a country, Singapore can only last 100 years. Low fertility rate of only 1.2 meant that more foreigners are needed or the engine stops running after some time.
I certainly hope Mr. Liu gets his wishes and Singapore starts planning for 10 million. A far closer integration for this new growth in population may be necessary sooner rather than later. The closer integration does not necessarily need to be with Iskandar, Malaysia. Perhaps it can also branch out to Batam, Indonesia as well? Or Bintan? Of course, or the underground city that one friend was talking about. I leave everyone to decide on their choice. Mine? Of course, Iskandar lah.
written on 17 July 2015
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