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see also below The Straits Times, 1 Jul 05 Minister: Expect early, open consultation on divisive issues Casino debate an example, says Balakrishnan; Govt needs to listen to masses By Sue-Ann Chia Full text of Dr Vivian Balakrishnan's speech on The Singapore Government Media Release website Today Online, 1 Jul 05 When Govt asked: So what do you think? by Tor Ching Li WHILE public consultation is now a must for all government policies here, it seems the process can be a double-edged sword in terms of winning hearts and minds. The recent 13-month-long public debate on the establishment of a Singapore casino was highlighted as a case in point during yesterday's Public Relations Academy conference on the power of public consultation. In his opening address, Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports Dr Vivian Balakrishnan cited the debate as an example of how public consultation in Singapore has been "evolving positively over the past few years". He added: "One unique feature of this exercise was the fact that we began consultation way before the Cabinet made any decision … many people found it difficult to believe that we had not already decided before consulting." He was right. According to a telephone survey commissioned by the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS), 62 per cent of the 963 respondents did not believe that the Government was — as it had claimed — ready to abandon the idea of a casino or two. Sixty per cent felt their opinions did not count towards the final decision and 28 per cent of those respondents who accepted the decision did so because they felt the government had already made up its mind. In announcing these results, IPS research fellow Dr Gillian Koh said this either indicated that the people had faith in the government decision or that they were already resigned to the top-down choice. "Is the level of trust among the people increasing or decreasing? The casino debate has revealed a deep bias towards the political culture that needs to be overcome for public consultation to be credible," said Dr Koh. The Straits Times, 1 Jul 05 Minister: Expect early, open consultation on divisive issues Casino debate an example, says Balakrishnan; Govt needs to listen to masses By Sue-Ann Chia SINGAPOREANS can expect to be consulted 'early and openly' on controversial policies with the potential to divide society here. A case in point is the casino debate, which Dr Vivian Balakrishnan yesterday described as having been one of the most open debates seen in Singapore. Having it discussed in public before Cabinet took a decision 'was so unique that many people found it difficult to believe that we had not already decided before consulting', he said at a public consultation forum. The Community Development, Youth and Sports Minister acknowledged it was 'a divisive contentious issue'. And the final decision may not have pleased all. 'Nevertheless it shows that we will begin consultation early and openly whenever we have to deal with major controversial policies that potentially divide the population,' he said. He saw consultation as a critical process. A government's failure to keep a close ear to the ground and listen to its people could see it lose an election. This could happen despite having well-laid-out plans and policies, he said. 'Every democratic government needs to understand where reality is. In our case, who are the real Singaporeans? What are their aspirations, hopes and fears?' he said at the forum attended by 150 people, mainly civil servants in public relations. 'We can choose the correct policies... but you can still lose the election if you are caught wrong-footed and miss where the reality is.' But consultation is also not meant to force consensus. It is to show that all views have been considered before a final decision is made, he said. 'Riding roughshod over affected stakeholders, even if they are in the minority, will only alienate them and create more difficulties during implementation.' In Singapore, the consultation process has now also moved beyond feedback towards what he described as 'collaborative action'. It was evident, for example, in how young Singaporeans had assumed leadership for a slew of projects that they suggested, such as Shine, which showcases young talent here. 'Public consultation has changed irrevocably in the light of the new challenges facing a new generation of Singaporeans,' he said. Forum participants agreed that the process has evolved. Ms Sulosana Karthigasu, managing director of the Public Relations Academy, which organised the forum, said it shows the Government's commitment to feel the pulse of the people, no matter how difficult. Added Dr Gillian Koh of the Institute of Policy Studies: 'Will that translate to winning elections? What it shows is that they are conscious that public sentiment matter especially when elections come along.' Education for all NOBODY will be denied an education just because he or she has no money, pledged Dr Vivian Balakrishnan yesterday. Every child should attend kindergarten and strive to stay in school, as education is the way out of the poverty trap. 'Education is the key to social mobility,' said the Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports. 'Social mobility is the key to ensuring social unity in a time of intense competition and at a time when income disparity may increase.' He was responding to questions about recent household surveys which showed that the low-income were getting poorer. 'This is something which we are extremely concerned with,' he said at the sidelines of a public consultation forum. Hence, the new ComCare fund, launched this week, is timely as it will ease the woes of needy residents and the jobless. It also has schemes to help children from poor families pay their kindergarten fees. But Dr Balakrishnan also stressed the need for self-reliance, even for the poorest 20 per cent of the population. 'We believe they can and will be able to stand on their own two feet in Singa- pore of the future, albeit with some help. Next, we must continue to find ways to help people make an honest living.' links Related articles on Singapore: general environmental issues |
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