Pursue economic alliance with Malaysia

IT SEEMS that the chief issue Singaporeans have with the Population White Paper is overcrowding. The only way out seems to be limiting the workforce and economic growth.

However, keeping in mind that Singapore's prosperity has always been largely attributed to foreign investments, any drastic measure to stifle access to talent and business growth could backfire on Singaporeans.

There is one alternative that has not been brought up: an economic alliance with Malaysia.

Low- to medium-cost homes can be built across the Causeway, together with high-speed, high-volume transportation and Customs clearance.

Everyone stands to gain from such an arrangement.

Foreign workers will have an alternative place to stay at a lower cost, Johor will benefit economically from the influx of new residents with spending power, and Singapore property prices will no longer suffer from over-speculation.

This would create breathing room for Singapore's residents and ease the burden on the infrastructure here.

Countries in Europe have done something similar. Surely we can do the same.

Foo Tun Chuan