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NewsAsia 23
Dec 05 Feedback Unit launches book on stories that shape our home By S Ramesh, Channel NewsAsia Today Online 24 Dec 05 It isn't feedback fatigue Loh Chee Kong cheekong@newstoday.com.sg Lower participation in Govt unit a sign people are communicating with ministries directly INPUT to the Government's Feedback Unit has shrunk in the past two years. After registering a 40 per cent increase between 2001 and 2002, feedback from Singaporeans — via email, telephone and fax — fell from 6,776 in 2003 to 6,160 last year. And for the first 11 months of this year, there were only 5,018 cases of input. Does this mean fewer Singaporeans are coming forward with their views, and is this a cause for concern? Absolutely not, said the unit's head, Mr Toh Yong Chuan, who welcomed the trend. "After the civil service introduced public consultation guidelines to ministries and statutory boards last year, there was a sharp increase in the number of government agencies engaging the public in consultation exercises," he said. "More direct channels of feedback have opened up and that's encouraging. A lot of people are writing to the ministries directly." Likewise, Bukit Timah GRC MP Wang Kai Yuen, who chairs the Feedback Supervisory Panel, lauded the civil service's efforts. Dr Wang spoke at yesterday's launch of the Feedback Unit's latest book, which features 19 case studies of how public views in the past year have shaped changes in policy. While Dr Wang is pleased with the "concrete steps" taken by many government agencies to consult the public before formulating and implementing policies, some "may need help to acquire public consultation skills". This is where the Feedback Unit can play an important role. . The unit launched an electronic newsletter this year to update civil servants on the latest public consultation information. Next year, the unit will produce a handbook and a video. It will also "intensify efforts to enlist under-represented segments of the population, such as women, heartlanders, youth, and overseas Singaporeans", said Dr Wang. The unit received the highest amount of feedback during its youth consultation exercise in which young Singaporeans were asked to "share their dreams and aspirations for their future". But its database, which includes 6,000 individuals from whom it regularly solicits views, "does not truly reflect the profile of Singaporeans", said Dr Wang. About 26 per cent are under 30 years old, just three in 10 are women, and only about 100 are overseas Singaporeans. The unit's website will be enhanced with online games and a multi-lingual feedback page. It has also conducted outreach programmes in schools to encourage youth to give feedback. Speaking to Today, Mr Toh rejected suggestions that too much public consultation might result in "feedback fatigue". "Things like naming the MRT stations might seem trivial to some people, but we shouldn't be too dismissive of what is important to the public." Channel NewsAsia 23 Dec 05 Feedback Unit launches book on stories that shape our home By S Ramesh, Channel NewsAsia The Feedback Unit has published a book incorporating stories from Singaporeans on how views from the public have shaped policy changes. Called 'Shaping our Home - Turning Feedback into Reality', some 16,000 copies have been printed and are available free of charge. There's also a translation of the book in Chinese, Malay and Tamil. The Feedback Unit will be intensifying its efforts to get some under-represented segments of the population, including women, HDB heartlanders and youths, to come on board and take part in its peoples' forum. It is also launching a multi-lingual feedback page on its website so that the public can send their views in Chinese, Malay and Tamil as well. Dr Wang Kai Yuen, chairman of Feedback Unit Supervisory Panel, says that as the unit strives to promote active citizens, the public sector needs to develop the capacity to engage Singaporeans effectively. He said: "It all depends on what stage the feedback comes into play. If the feedback was actually input during the process of policy decision making, then their inputs are considered very carefully. But sometimes when they contribute feedback on actions or proposals which are still in the works, it will take more time. And sometimes they felt that their inputs were not taken into consideration. So it all depends on the timing and workplan of ministries and governments." Meanwhile, the Feedback Unit says it has already started work on next year's book. It is encouraging Singaporeans who have got stories to tell on the types of feedback they have channelled to the government agencies, to write in and contribute to the book. - CNA/ir links The Feedback Unit's Government Consultation Portal Related articles on Singapore: general environment issues |
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