YOUNGER Singaporeans do not just want to be heard; they aspire for a say in policymaking.
Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong thinks that is a good thing: It is a sign that they want to help build a better society. No matter how efficient and honest the Government was in the past, and is today, the clamour for more participation must be expected, he said on Friday.
Mr Goh was speaking at the Singapore-China Forum on Leadership held at the Ritz Carlton hotel, where 77 top government officials from Singapore and China met to discuss the importance of developing good leaders to build social harmony. Building trust between government and citizens is a continuous process, he noted, adding that a new generation of Singaporeans has grown up without memories of the poverty, uncertainty and strife of earlier years.
He said: 'Their starting point in life is today's high-water mark, not yesterday's low tide. No matter how honest and efficient the Government was in the past, they expect the Government to meet their new aspirations. The new generation of Singaporeans wants not only to be heard but also to participate in the decision process.
'Instead of regarding this development as a vexatious demand for Government to be more open, transparent and accountable, it should be regarded as a positive sign of the citizens wanting to join in to build a better society.
'As basic needs are fulfilled, we must expect such a trend, no matter how much the people trust the Government.'
-- ST
ya lah
singaporeans favourite pastime -- complain
or in nicer term, feedback.