Welcome to the REACH Portal.

i-REACH (May 2013) is out now.

In This Section

Find us on

> >

A- | A+

Discussion Forum

24 Apr 2012, 5.51PM

18 comments & replies |by REACH Administrator | Our Common Space

The Government is not taking a populist approach, but rather a carefully calibrated one in responding to people’s needs. This point was raised by Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts Dr Yaacob Ibrahim at a dialogue organised by the Singapore Press Club yesterday, in response to a question on the Government's approach to engaging citizens. Dr Yaacob said, 'We have not gone down the populist road, but certainly we look at our policies in a very fine manner to see whether we can do better to answer some of the grievances of Singaporeans.'

Dr Yaacob also stressed that the Government is not engaging the people because it is fashionable, but because the mood has shifted, and more Singaporeans want to play a part to co-create policies. He shared that feedback so far has shown that people welcome the move to be given the opportunity to contribute ideas and suggestions.

Share your views on Dr Yaacob’s comments on engagement.

Read the Straits Times’ article “Govt approach 'calibrated, not populist': Yaacob”

1104 views | 18 comments & replies |

Sort By :

Guest

24 Apr 2012, 6.20PM

so we deduced it as the govt play tai-chi/ teh tarik with us ("consultations") to 'listen our voices', but in the end will still push thru bulldoze its pre-planned policies and try hard to convince us instead why the ivory towers' thinkings are still the best...

Guest

25 Apr 2012, 9.57AM

They opened -up avenues to act like Listening- but NEVER!

1. We clamour about the surplus of Employment Pass holders. But till date, they have not reduced the EP by even 3%. So will they reduce the EP by 6% for 2012?

2. Many people feedback about the poor planning of Eldercare in Woodlands. But the government refused to listen nor accept. Worst, their 360 degrees communication came back totally different.

Solar

Guest

25 Apr 2012, 9.34PM

any approach is a good one if it fixes the problem at the end of the day.

results are all that matters.

tension is building, the clock is tickling, 4 yrs to judgement day.

Guest

24 Apr 2012, 9.02PM

"Engaging" the citizens??!!

That means they are still clueless about what is happening in Singapore??

Guest

24 Apr 2012, 9.07PM

No, they are definitely not clueless. They know exactly what they are doing. They just want us to carry on with our mundane, complain but not listened to, foolishly being "engaged" and don't see their betrayal as betrayal. Given their deliberate attempt to disconnect us from our ownership of this country and its governance, what they did not expect is our sudden and belated arousal of national conciousness. Even this is not strong enough to stall them. Have they stopped selling us out? Have they reversed anything to redeem themselves? They are still at it and will continue to do so. So, are they clueless or we are the ones who have been clueless all these years?

Fat MaMa

Guest

24 Apr 2012, 6.25PM

When our leaders have already sold this country out and still craftily trying to delude us, no amount of engagement will redeem them. They will remain guilty for as long as Singapore's history goes. By now, populism or not it is not going to matter.

Fat MaMa

Guest

24 Apr 2012, 9.18PM

The Government is so used the policy of telling the Singaporeans what to do and when to do and also how to do that they forgot how to consult, what to consult and when to consult.

Now they get a few so called experts to write a white paper and say that all Singaporeans must follow or die.

What sort of consultative approach is this ? It have become almost dictatorial.

Guest

24 Apr 2012, 11.28PM

Engaging citizens?   Singaporeans have been talking and talking, and you pp just have not been listening at all!   Discussions, hah!

We had all along been giving you feedback way back when. I believe that more and more of the 60.1 %, yes, including ME, will not stand by and watch ourselves, Singaporeans and our children placed SECOND FIDDLE to foreigners and PRs. I'm egging the oppositon to win me over.

THE TOP TEN REASONS WHY FOREIGNERS COME INTO SINGAPORE (G00GLE) are enough to tell Singaporeans that we are not your preferred people. I thought it was a joke, but they are all convincing.
Have it your way and go on streaming in immigrants.

I couldn't care less if we're not that competitive as before. or the best.   At least, there's space to breathe, less crowding on the buses and MRT lines, less breakdowns , less stress, less headaches, prices of homes and cost of living lowered with lesser competition and less demand. There's life and flowers.

Guest

24 Apr 2012, 11.45PM

江郎才尽，黔驴技短 it is.

(Out of talent, short of tricks.)

That's how the populist ended up 父子骑驴 - the proverbial father and son ending up carrying the donkey on their backs, eventually losing their ass over the wobbly bridge.

Guest

25 Apr 2012, 6.01AM

It shows how hopelessly disengaged the govt is.

Guest

25 Apr 2012, 10.03AM

"We have to do this carefully and sort of calibrate it", Yaacob.

Gosh! Your careful must be horrendous and calibrated? If you do not even bother to check regularly, evaluate and improve- then whatever calibration is useless.

No wonder you made Orchard Road flood twice. Singapaore is so small but you cannot manage?

(Guru)

Dr Samuel Cheah

24 Apr 2012, 6.05PM

For me, this is again about responsibility in posting our feedbacks to present information without prejudice and without back-stabbing - quite common on blogs . Derogatory remarks with a political agenda or just to make a mockery of citizenry should be immediately removed without any given reason.

Guest

24 Apr 2012, 11.25PM

@Dr Cheah: I hope the following view is objective and without prejudice to you.

If PMO ends up making an ombudsman out of the Prime Ministers' facebook page, then to those whom have to post their grievances under the full view of fellow Singaporeans and possibly getting backlash for "being a loser", I say, Amen.

Guest

25 Apr 2012, 1.32AM

"Derogatory remarks with a political agenda" - Why would anyone with a serious political agenda waste their time trying to inject it into mud-slinging comments?

Fat MaMa

(Guru)

Only Talk No Walk

24 Apr 2012, 9.47PM

Yes, some fine calibration is always require, so only the goods & positives will be "heard" and "replied" while the rest will remains where it used to be......nice.

Guest

24 Apr 2012, 11.37PM

Yet the not so nice stuffs will not go unseen, so what do we make of it when they are not answered to?

A silent slap in the face.

Guest

25 Apr 2012, 12.00AM

Silent but tight.

Guest

26 Apr 2012, 10.23AM

Government adopts a calibrated approach in engaging citizens ?
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Many have complained about high cost of living, high medical bills, high transport fares, high food prices and etc, so far have we seen these issues being addressed? This are real common problems faced by many middle income, lower income and the retirees! Only those millionaire salaried don't complain.