Natural for citizens to criticise, as well as praise govt
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Natural for citizens to criticise, as well as praise govt: George Yeo
By Nazry Bahrawi, TODAY | Posted: 17 August 2007 1224 hrs
George Yeo (L) at the 6th Raffles Institution Lecture on National Issues.
SINGAPORE: They don't always see eye to eye with the Government.
But political commentators, including bloggers, do have their place in Singapore, according to Foreign Minister George Yeo.
"It is natural that citizens should criticise the Government. It is also natural that citizens should praise the Government for doing good. This is how a healthy relationship is established between the individual and the collective," said Mr Yeo to students from Raffles Institution at a live dialogue session organised by the school yesterday.
Many of the questions centred on political discourse, censorship and democracy. Asked what he thought of political commentators such as Mr Brown, Mr Yeo said he enjoyed some of the well-known blogger's work.
"They are not all fair, but then it won't be funny if there isn't a little (of the) unfair in order to exaggerate a point. It is part of the creative industry, which we are trying to promote in Singapore," he added, citing creativity in blogs, theatre and cartoons.
But what of some Members of Parliament who feel that mr brown was too harsh on government policies? "No, no. In fact, he had even invited me to appear on his blogsite. Maybe one day I will, but I have been quite busy," responded Mr Yeo, who also blogs.
But Mr Yeo did note that some commentators may take things too far. "Sometimes there could be malice in the humour. And if you, as an individual, feel that your reputation is harmed ... then you may have to take action.
"Most of the time, if it is just funny or satirical, I think we should just have a laugh at ourselves. It will build a healthy society and it will make it into a more vibrant city."
To a question on democracy, Mr Yeo said the model differs from country to country. "Whatever form of democracy that we evolve in Singapore, it must do two things: Make us secure and ensure that our economic chances are maximised."
But for a country to work, an active citizenry is crucial.
"We need a good government, and we need a government that does things, but we also need citizens that would do things for themselves and one another," he said.
Singling out the income divide between the haves and have-nots here, Mr Yeo said: "What we need in Singapore is for the people who are more successful to always keep an eye out for those who are less successful and to help them Â… Whatever the Government does, it is no substitute for the good that we do to each other."
'Be humble and willing to share'
Given the rough patches in Singapore's relations with some of its neighbours recently, some students wanted to know if the Republic's development was a sore point with them.
While Mr Yeo hoped this was not so, he noted: "It is always important to us not to be emotional, be humble and willing to share with others. Accepting that even when we do all these things, sometimes we get criticised for all kinds of things, but we take it in our stride."
Asked about the unhappiness over Singapore's stake in Indosat, Indonesia's second largest mobile phone operator, Mr Yeo said: "The general principles we adopt is be a good corporate citizen, add value where you are, do good to the community yet make a profit Â… Always observe the local law. That is very important.
"It may be that because we are a little red dot, there is resentment Â… That is what I meant, that in these countries where we are not very welcome, we should restrain ourselves. - TODAY/fa -
er....how to praise them for increasing GST to help the poor?
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One thing is certain about them; they are very good with Talking Sense...
but their actions are totally opposite... -
Wat to do? there's no check in the governemnt, opposition render useless, almost impotent. The head honcho above elected and buy/pay so much, dun even think of the MPs also liao. Someone got to say something.
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<"It is natural that citizens should criticise the Government. It is also natural that citizens should praise the Government for doing good. This is how a healthy relationship is established between the individual and the collective," said Mr Yeo to students from Raffles Institution at a live dialogue session organised by the school yesterday.>
How to establish healthy relationship when all he talked about was only one party of the relationship, the citizens?
The govt may say "it's natural that the govt should micro-manage the citizens. It's also natural that the govt should punish the citizens for being naughty." So how to establish healthy relationship like that? -
Wow, Yeo man is trying very seriously hard to improve on his last electn performance. wonder if he last time stood for electn, next round will also still be fielded?Originally posted by pearlie27:<"It is natural that citizens should criticise the Government. It is also natural that citizens should praise the Government for doing good. This is how a healthy relationship is established between the individual and the collective," said Mr Yeo to students from Raffles Institution at a live dialogue session organised by the school yesterday.>
How to establish healthy relationship when all he talked about was only one party of the relationship, the citizens?
The govt may say "it's natural that the govt should micro-manage the citizens. It's also natural that the govt should punish the citizens for being naughty." So how to establish healthy relationship like that? -
Ditto on that. Actions speak way louder than words.Originally posted by HyperFocal:One thing is certain about them; they are very good with Talking Sense...
but their actions are totally opposite... -
lol, like real.Originally posted by spinsugar:Ditto on that. Actions speak way louder than words.
Then how come mr brown was still fired from Today? Their "Actions' are opposite to their words. -
You're a natural!Originally posted by HyperFocal:One thing is certain about them; they are very good with Talking Sense...
but their actions are totally opposite... -
Aiya, they can always come up with other reasons, poor work performance.......yada yada yada..........Originally posted by royston_ang:lol, like real.
Then how come mr brown was still fired from Today? Their "Actions' are opposite to their words. -
I wonder if a Gazelle has 4 heads and eight pairs of arms to reply to so many opposing views.
Hehehehe..... -
i would like to hear them if it is constructive viewsOriginally posted by maurizio13:I wonder if a Gazelle has 4 heads and eight pairs of arms to reply to so many opposing views.
Hehehehe..... -
Me too, but unfortunately all he can ever blurt is "this is BS, this is crap, all of you are liars", he doesn't respond with arguments with logic.Originally posted by Lin Yu:i would like to hear them if it is constructive views
I think with 4 heads he won't make a difference too, after all four times of zero is still zero.
Hehehe
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heeheeheee ... Yada yada yada...Originally posted by maurizio13:Aiya, they can always come up with other reasons, poor work performance.......yada yada yada..........
Are you a Seignfeld fan? Coz I am too..!! -
Yuppers!Originally posted by HyperFocal:heeheeheee ... Yada yada yada...
Are you a Seignfeld fan? Coz I am too..!!
Hehehe....
Elaine uses yada yada yada -
Hey I Have collected almost ALL of Seinfeld's episodes in DVD which I ordered from the States!Originally posted by maurizio13:Yuppers!
Hehehe....
Elaine uses yada yada yada
I love all the characters! Particularly Kramer! -
Is George Yeo lamenting the obvious? Or reinforcing the belief that singaporeans remain a bunch of whiners?
I have no idea to the purpose of this interview.
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I read another version elsewhere where he mentioned about Star Wars and said to them "May the force be with you". Anyway, find him a little different from the MIWs. Nothing is firm, but I heard rumour he is resigning. Rumour!Originally posted by BillyBong:Is George Yeo lamenting the obvious? Or reinforcing the belief that singaporeans remain a bunch of whiners?
I have no idea to the purpose of this interview. -
I always thought he deserved more than just being a Minister.
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Of course it is natural that we should criticise. The Government will listen. :p But remember, only listen. Listen. Listen. Listen.
"It is natural that citizens should criticise the Government. It is also natural that citizens should praise the Government for doing good. This is how a healthy relationship is established between the individual and the collective,
Of course we praise the Government when they are doing good. The Government will then emphasize the praise. Emphasize. Emphasize.
Healthy a not... is opened to debating."We need a good government, and we need a government that does things, but we also need citizens that would do things for themselves and one another,"
YES! A government that does things! Let's list...
1) GST hike (ok ok la... still opened to debate)
2) Minister pay hike (ok ok la... still opened to debate)
3) Mega-GRCs??????
4) Raising retirement age???? What a convenient solution to solve decreasing labour force! Everyone forgot about increasing birth rate liao ah...
YES! We need citizens that would do things for themselves and one another! Don't expect the government to do it for you!
The government will only help you do one thing very enthusiastically. HELP YOU SAVE! Yes! You, the citizens, do not know how to save properly for retirement! The government will have to help you. Other things you do it yourself hor.'Be humble and willing to share'
Share your salaries ok? How? Easy, just agree to GST. The extra money will be used for programs for the poor. Why? Share mah... Brother brother...