The Singapore Government takes a lot of measures to promote ethnic integration ('Close watch on' lack of diversity in schools, estates ; Jan 20).

Among them are the Ethnic Integration Policy (EIP) and non-Malaysian permanent resident quota.

However, these seem to apply only to public housing.

Could the fact that these rules do not apply to private housing have contributed in part to the current "lack of diversity" in schools?

With increasing numbers of foreigners becoming PRs, many of whom would be staying in condominiums and landed properties, should not the EIP and non-Malaysian PR quota be extended to private housing as well?

It is important to prevent the formation of racial enclaves and to ensure integration and social cohesion in both the public and private housing sectors.

Applying the EIP and non-Malaysian PR quota will surely have implications for the private property market.

But they should still be applied if deemed necessary.

Ang Hak Heng