Notable quotes

"We have slowed down the inflows and tightened up on foreign workers. It is causing employers a lot of pain. We will continue to adjust to get the balance as right as we can, but I don't think we (can) relax because we have to continue in a sustainable way. Neither are we able to say we go to zero and let us do away with all these people . . . I think that's not practical."

Mr Lee on the tightening of supply of foreign workers

"In a normal society and a normal democracy, these will have their place. People will speak and . . . mobilise and lobby. That is par. But the government has to be in touch with them, make friends with as many of them as possible, but they must stand back and say: 'What is in the national interest?' How far can (Singapore) accommodate you without compromising the national interest? We have to make that judgement."