Tan Kin Lian's Blog: Build up the public opinion

Friday, November 06, 2009

Build up the public opinion

Several people asked if there is any point in making suggestions in the media, if the authorities are not paying attention and will not reply to these suggestions.

The purpose of expressing our views is NOT to convince the authorities, as they do not agree with the suggestions and will not want to change their views. Some people say that they do not care.

The purpose is to educate the public and to build the public opinion. If many people are aware that there is a better alternative to the current policies and are willing to express their views strongly, the authorities cannot continue to ignore them.

I urge the public to be willing to express your views and, preferably, to add your name so that they carry more weight.

In other countries, the public will go out to demonstrate in the streets. It is quite sad that the people are not allowed to express their views through demonstration in Singapore. We can adopt the next best approach, and that is to express our views openly, and educate other people to these views. Let us build up the public opinion.

Tan Kin Lian

11 comments:

Anonymous said...: Yes, you are totally right.

It is VERY SAD that we are not allowed to express our views through demonstration. The Government of Singapore are simply too good life and if thousends of minibond investor gether together infront of MAS, I think this issue will have been solved long time already.; November 06, 2009 3:43 PM
C H Yak said...: I strongly support this stand.

It is more important to make your own views heard. It does not matter if the the policy making body adopts it or not. It does not matter if the media decide to print it or not.

With an unified voice, at least we know we are more right in certain matters than if is dictated to us in other ways.

Not expressing and responding with our own views is a mindset problem. For Authorities electing not to respond and reply, it is rude and irresponsible to behave so. And it is an escapist way to hide the problem.

And with the Internet, it is easier to make our views heard, because we are no more at the mercy of editors of the mainstream media who maybe bias and more pro-Authorities or are timid and afraid to offend the Authorities.

When our MM visted the USA and made his speech asking President Obama (USA) to maintain its grip on Asia with China rising in power economically and militarily, the China Netizens were fast to criticise him regarding his thoughts from the China perspective. The China netizens were quite successful in expressing their views and exposing some "bad and corrupted" office bearers and businessmen.

As long as our opinion are sincere and fair, we should not feel paranoid to express it, even if we may not be perfectly right. Others will correct our views and collectively this voice will mature and will be heard aloud by the relevant party.; November 06, 2009 4:17 PM
Lye Khuen Way said...: Well, Anonymous just add to Mr Tan's lament that we are NOT all prepared to put our face/name to our opinions !
That is why, for all the noises the Authorities hear, it is just noises.; November 06, 2009 5:13 PM
Anonymous said...: I respectfully disagree.

The time for feedback and talking is over.

It's time now to keep our ideas and opinions to ourselves.

Our outward answer to every new policy should be "very good, please carry on."

Our response to every request for feedback is "I don't know."

Then the full consequences of the policies will be exposed, whether good or bad.

This is the only way to make the policy-makers accountable for the consequences of their policies.

If you want the salary, you deliver the goods. Not "you take the salary, we give you the good ideas."

No more public criticism of policy, regardless of whether the criticism is constructive or not.

Let there be absolutely silence in the public space.

Do this for 2 years and I can guarantee you the policy-makers will be begging you for any form of criticism.; November 06, 2009 9:55 PM
A Tan said...: Post 1

Ya blame the government.

Well the investors could have gone to HL Green. Only 200 did in August.

Yes, TKL and Posting 1 demonstrations are not allowed here. But so are they in M'sia. But M'sians still demonstrate.

Sheep are sheep. Lions are lions.; November 07, 2009 5:40 AM
Anonymous said...: REX comments on Anonymous 9:55 pm Nov 6

What you are proposing, was precisely the real situation in the days before the rise of Chiam See Tong and Low Thia Kiang

In those days before the SDP and WP, people behaved exactly like what you proposed, nobody spoke up, everyone kept silence and say ok yes to everything just like you mentioned.

Did it help?

Not much, right?

Nowadays people voice their opinion much more, on this blog, on TOC and other cyberspaces. There are also opposition in parliament though very weak.

Does all these new scenario help?

Probably not much too. But i think it is still better than to keep completely silent as you proposed.

We don't know until the outcome of next general elections, which of the above ways, is more effective to make Singpaore better.

One thing i would further comment is that we hv to get our Objective in synch, i.e. to make a better singapore. Suppose you have a good idea and the PAP copied it implemented it and Singpaorens are much benefitting from it. Then PAP claimed credit and continued with their million dollar pay. Does it matter? I think it's ok!!! although it is despicable, the overall Objective of getting Singapore better off is met.

You also have no guarantee the oppostion wouldnt play the same trick would you? There are hundreds of great ideas in cyberspace. Right now the opposition is so quiet on their websites. I can imagine when election time comes, they will copy many ideas from cyberspace and make great speeches out of it!!!

Does it matter? I don't care, as long as Singaporean's lot is improved, the MIW or even opposition party can go ahead pick up other smart guys ideas and claim as their own. Ok for me.

It doesn't matter. We just want a better Singapore that's all!

REX; November 07, 2009 10:14 AM
Anonymous said...: As I see it, the congestion today is not severe enough. So, let's all get together and make it unbearable.

Here's the indirect way to protest. We should encourage more people to buy a car instead, since public transport is not so good. Let's all clog up the roads so that it affects our country's productivity & pollution to the point where it affects our GDP. Maybe that's when the authorities will wise up and improve the public transport system in a jiffy.

Meantime, drive away if you can and feel like it.; November 07, 2009 10:54 AM
Anonymous said...: sorry, mr Tan...I meant for the "drive more cars instead" protest to be in the traffic congestion blog, not this one.; November 07, 2009 10:56 AM
Anonymous said...: Don't despair. Don't loss heart.
After "gradual change" there will be "sudden change".
Now it may take 1-2 years to change.
When the conditions are right, the change could happen in 1-2 days.
Be optimistic and more patient.; November 07, 2009 11:00 AM
C H Yak said...: I tend to disagree with you, Anonymous 9:55 PM.

I think Singaporeans have reached the present mindset of "indifference" or simply "bochup" because the majority had think exactly the way you are thinking and hoping for the best outcome. At best it is wishing, if not dreaming. This approach of "pushing" responsibility to those at the "apex" of organisations who are holding auhtority and hoping for a "collapse" of the system to prove that their leaders are wrong will not work.

Authorities and corporates here choose to be "indifferent" to the general public so that they can escape from the problems and issues, and public attention. The irony is that the people working for them at the lower levels also inherit or are also brought up and educated with this mindset of indifference.

The older generation particularly also lives with a mindset of "fear to criticise". Many are also less educated and there were lesser problems and problems were of a simpler nature. If they are jobless, you give them a "taxi or hawker" license, the problem is solved. In a way it is easier to please them and they are easily contented and grateful.

Younger generation are less fearful but simply more "bochup", to be carefree. Especially if the issues do not involve or hit them, why be bordered?

Combining both generations, the attitude of "indifference" get worse.

If you are told not to demonstrate, the problem lies with the administrators. But if you stay indifferent and keep quiet, the problem lies with you.

The leaders and administrators will silently thank you in their hearts and keep away from your problems, since the whole world does not see you demonstrate and yet you have nothing to voice out or cry about...you must be happy.

Will the system suddenly collapse after 2 years of your silence? I doubt. You will stay with your problems and unhappiness if the chosen leaders and administrators simply avoid your issues by following your "policy of indifference", after all in 2 years' time the next team of leaders chosen to capitalise on this "indifference" mindset will be there.

And all will be at risks of more aggressive policies like increased GST, etc, (and even higher Ministers pay) to which they will claim are good for you; without you expressing your views and certainly no demonstrations.

If people voices out, the problems lie with the media and the leaders who are responsible. No demonstration is OK, but views are expressed and we do our part.; November 07, 2009 11:55 AM
Anonymous said...: What is the impact of first APEC in Singapore has on Singaporeans?

Does it signify that Singapore has matured into a society where public opinion are heard?

If Singapore is really suppressing public opinion, wouldn't APEC members feel that we are just putting up a wayang? I don't think so.

I think public opinion is heard just that it must go through the right and proper channels so as to not disrupt the stability of this little nation.

I am glad Obama can drop by Singapore. It is an iconic moment. This shows the world that the way Singapore is being run is of high standards and recognised around the world.; November 07, 2009 12:13 PM