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17 Nov 06 MP's remarks about 'complaining' S'poreans are unfair Letter from Mohammad Fahmi Bin Ahmad Abu Bakar Straits Times Forum 14 Nov 06 MP should be happy that S'poreans speak up Letter from Benny Tan Seng Hee Straits Times Forum 14 Nov 06 MPs shouldn't take opinions as complaints Letter from Wang Tiancheng Today Online 13 Nov 06 To be less complaining, Singapore needs to be more mature and open-minded Letter from Helen Tan Letter from Rick Lim Say Kiong Today Online 11 Nov 06 If I can't ask you, what's the point? So what am I paying those conservancy charges for? Letter from Lim Boon Hee Letter from Pan Pei Yan Today Online 10 Nov 06 Ask not what your country can do for you ... MPs decry whinging Singaporeans, call for soul searching Leong Wee Keat weekeat@mediacorp.com.sg INSTEAD of harping on what the Government can do to bridge the social divide, the spotlight in Parliament yesterday fell on Singaporeans. And there were some home truths told, too. "A nation of complainers" and "a society increasing reliant on the Government for help" were among the sadder--and harsher--labels mentioned. Member of Parliament for Sembawang Group Representation Constituency (GRC) Dr Mohamad Maliki Osman started the ball rolling when he called for "reflection and soul searching" among Singaporeans. Dr Maliki noted Singaporeans had become increasing reliant on an "efficient system" that handles issues on the municipal and national level. He said: "When the lift landing of our flat is not clean--we call the town council; when there are mosquitoes in the neighbourhood, we call the NEA (National Environment Agency)--if things don't improve, we go to our MPs or tell the media." While not advocating that the Government be taken out of the "equation", Dr Maliki hopes to see that the "responsibility to make the society work rests not only on those in the chamber", but also on "the collective interlocking hands of four million Singaporeans". For example, he wanted Singaporeans to reflect on what they, and not the Government, had done to strengthen resilience within their own families. MP for Marine Parade GRC Lim Biow Chuan called on Singaporeans to be more gracious and compassionate and said Singapore is fast becoming a nation of complainers. While the Government can set the tone, he urged Singaporeans to be "encouragers"--not only in encouraging fellow citizens, but also pushing the society to be an inclusive and cohesive one. "What makes a country great? It is not just the laws ... the efficiency or the beautiful buildings but the people that make it great," Mr Lim said. East Coast GRC MP Ms Jessica Tan urged Singaporeans and the Government to also provide an environment where "people can run their own race". Using the example of a weekend running club, which she is a member of, Ms Tan said the encouragement from each other helps members to complete their runs. Likewise, she hoped that such encouragement would make "the journey much better" for all Singaporeans. Today Online 11 Nov 06 If I can't ask you, what's the point? Examples given by MP missed the mark So what am I paying those conservancy charges for? Letter from Lim Boon Hee Letter from Pan Pei Yan While the gist of MP for Sembawang GRC Dr Mohamad Maliki Osman's message to Singaporeans to help themselves more instead of being so reliant on the Government is palatable, the examples he gave are not ("Ask not what your country can do for you…", Nov 10). He was quoted as saying: "When the lift landing of our flat is not clean … we call the Town Council; when there are mosquitoes in the neighbourhood, we call the NEA (National Environment Agency) ... if things don't improve we go to our MPs ... or tell the media." He added that we call the HDB if we have problems with our neighbours. If we do not call the Town Council, then are residents expected to clean the lift landing mess ourselves and catch the culprits for the town council? If there are mosquitoes from construction sites or a lot of dengue cases in the neighbourhood, the logical course of action is to call the NEA. Surely we are not expected to take things into our own hands and go after the culprits who breed mosquitoes? If we don't seek the HDB's help, then most would seek to end disputes with our neighbours through tit-for-tat measures and even loud quarrels everyday. Naturally, if calling the town council or the NEA does not produce any effective action or improvement, the residents are entitled to go to the MP or tell the media. What are MPs for if not to listen to the constituents' problems and represent their legitimate interests? Sometimes, people get frustrated by red tape and inertia and have no choice but to publicise their views to the media as a last resort. This is not wrong. Yes, I agree that we can strengthen "resilience within families" more effectively "outside the chamber", as the MP puts it, rather than depend on the Government to do it for us in matters of the family. But in the examples the MP cited, it is best not to encourage Singaporeans to take things into their own hands, and to allow town councils, the NEA, MPs and the media to handle these matters. Otherwise, the Government's role in the "equation" will indeed be removed, despite Dr Maliki's assertion to the contrary. Dr Mohamad Maliki Osman noted that Singaporeans had become increasingly reliant on an "efficient system" and gave an example of how when the lift landing at our block is not clean, we call the Town Council. When I moved to Tampines recently I got a shock — for I saw litter in car park lots and the lift landing area. Rubbish and phlegm are an everyday sight in the lifts, rubbish is left in the corridor and once, I spotted faeces in a corner. If I raise these concerns to the Town Council am I considered as relying too much on the Government /Town Council? What is the purpose of paying conservancy charges in that case? Please advise where or to whom the public should turn to for such matters. Having said that, I am thankful to Tampines Town Council for their effort in cleaning up the area. And much as I want to keep Singapore clean and safe, my effort alone is not enough, and I am hoping public education by way of media or flyers/posters could reach out to Singaporeans. Today Online 13 Nov 06 To be less complaining, Singapore needs to be more mature and open-minded Letter from Helen Tan Letter from Rick Lim Say Kiong I READ the report, "Ask not what your country can do for you" (Nov 10) with interest. Efficiency can be a double-edged sword. On the one hand, we are supposed to be the best and world-class in everything, so when we do not experience this in the marketplace, we "whinge, whine and complain" rather than become "problem-solvers". For instance, when we get poor service, we complain. When the transport system breaks down, we write letters to the press. And the list goes on. Why? Because our efficiency has caused us to be less tolerant of others who make mistakes or who cannot meet our expectations. When things don't work out, we blame others and get the authorities to step in to solve the issue, fast. When will we ever grow up and become a gracious society? I BELIEVE whether or not Singaporeans can be less complaining depends much on whether the Government will listen. I found it interesting that two reports, "Ask not what your country can do for you" and "Are we ready to listen?" (Nov 10), appeared side by side in Today. By listening to the people's comments and acting upon them, the Government displays a more open-minded attitude in handling nationwide issues. When Singaporeans grumble HDB housing is expensive, the Government should stop giving the same reply about "affordability" that does not satisfy Singaporeans and that leads some to unreasonable expectations--such as that Town Councils sweep residents' lift landings daily (instead of them keeping the area clean in the first place)--just because they feel they already pay so much for their flats and conservancy charges. Similarly, are we convinced that paying more for transport fees will translate to fewer train breakdowns and less crowded buses? The Government has to engage and convince us that what we pay for is worthy of our whole-hearted acceptance. This way, we may "complain" less. Straits Times Forum 14 Nov 06 MP should be happy that S'poreans speak up Letter from Benny Tan Seng Hee A P65 PAP MP believes that each citizen must feel his views matter. Another government MP, Dr Mohd Maliki Osman (Sembawang GRC) urges Singaporeans to stop just being 'problem identifiers'. He asked: 'Are we turning Singapore into a nation of people whose problem-solving skills solely rest on the mechanism of asking someone else to solve their problems?' (ST, Nov 10). What mixed signals are we citizens getting? Are we supposed to take the law into our own hands? Like children who are taught to seek help from parents or teachers to resolve problems, Singaporeans turn to the relevant authorities to look into the problems that they can't solve themselves. For example, when students are not using technology in the right way, we hope that the Ministry of Education will look at the issue. Why do we appear to be 'whining and whingeing'? It's all about perception. Imagine this: You climb a tall tree. When you are at the tree top, you set your sights far and get used to seeing the big picture. When you hear voices from the ground, you look down and the things below appear small. In fact, they are partially blocked by the branches and you see only what you can see. You think it is not worthwhile going down to find out more. When the voice gets louder, you shout: 'Stop making noise while I'm looking at the big picture. Why are there voices coming up from the bottom? You have many measures in place but if these are not properly linked, or are too difficult to achieve, they are as good as useless. Singaporeans are asked to play their part to help build the nation, and there are telephone numbers to call the government departments when we need to make enquiries or to report things that we think are not right. Who will remember the long list of phone numbers? When people find it too difficult to get access and do their part, it's only natural that they get angry and complain in the hope that someone will hear them. What do you think the children who feel helpless do when they are being treated unfairly? You should be glad that Singaporeans are willing to speak up and not resorting to violence the way people do in some countries. Straits Times Forum 14 Nov 06 MPs shouldn't take opinions as complaints Letter from Wang Tiancheng I DISAGREE that Singaporeans have become 'a nation of complainers' and 'a society increasingly reliant on the Government for help' - a view shared by some MPs. We voted for a particular party as it was competent in solving problems. Naturally, we have high expectations. The Government has been the main engineer of policies and active community participation in shaping them is limited. It was only recently that it encouraged citizens to voice their opinions. These are now deemed as complaints. The MPs with this view should understand grassroots sentiments and do soul-searching. Straits Times Online 17 Nov 06 MP's remarks about 'complaining' S'poreans are unfair Letter from Mohammad Fahmi Bin Ahmad Abu Bakar I agree fully with the views expressed by Mr Benny Tan Seng Hee and Mr Wang Tiancheng, who reacted to Dr Mohd Maliki Osman's statement that Singapore is becoming a nation of problem-identifiers, not problem-solvers. As an ordinary Singapore citizen, I would like to state that words cannot describe my disappointment with Dr Maliki. I would take this opportunity to raise some questions and seek further clarifications on his statements in Parliament. Isn't it ironic that Dr Maliki, an MP and community leader who was elected by Singaporeans who believe and have trust in his abilities to serve them, complain about Singaporeans' complaints? I hope that it is not a sign that the MP is getting sidetracked from the tasks at hand by making statements and raising issues which do not significantly benefit anyone. Exactly what is wrong with Singaporeans requesting assistance from the authorities when there is a problem? Isn't this the most logical and civilised thing to do? Dr Maliki cited an example of residents calling their town councils when the lift landings are dirty. Is it wrong for residents who contribute monthly to the conservancy and maintenance costs of the estate to do so? I strongly disagree with the statement that by 'giving feedback' to government agencies, many adults are bad role models for their children. Filing complaints or 'giving feedback' is a legal and peaceful means of seeking redress, change and improvements. This process educates the young to respect the nation's laws and raises awareness on the proper channels that are available to citizens. This will also provide them with the assurance that their views will not go unheard. Dr Maliki's labelling of Singaporeans as 'problem identifiers' and 'problem referrers' is condescending, unfair and uncalled for. As far as I'm concerned, these negative labels have the potential to cause many Singaporeans to be upset, especially those who have voted for him to represent them in Parliament. With all due respect, Dr Maliki should realise that delivering promises and staying focused on serving the needs of Singaporeans, regardless of how big or small the issue is, is part and parcel of his challenges as an elected Member of Parliament. I invite Dr Maliki to clarify and explain his statements. links Related articles on Singapore: general environmental issues |
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