Minister for Health Khaw Boon Wan suggested that some people can consider sending their elderly parents to a nursing home in Johor Bahru, where the cost is less than half of the cost in Singapore.
This created a big uproar. It attracted more than 300 comments in postings in The Online Citizen. Over 80% of the comments were strongly against the suggestion. Many of the comments were rude and abusive. They called the minister inappropriate names. I was shocked at this behaviour.
First, it was not necessary for people to give their views in a rude manner. They should show respect to the views of other people. I am not suggesting that a minister deserves more respect than any ordinary people. But he should not be given any less respect either.
Second, there is a strong perception that any suggestion by a minister will be implemented as government policy. If the reaction is likely to be irrational and negative, the government may decide that it is better not to engage the public. Surely, as citizens, we like to have the chance of giving our views before any decision is taken by the government leaders? Can we give our views in an objective manner, rather than behave badly?
Third, there seems to be a strong dislike and distrust of the government. This is unhealthy.
9 comments:
Yes, it is unhealthy for our country that the government is disliked and/or distrusted. Such a government should be removed.
It's one thing to feel frustrated, it's another to resort to immature behavior to think the sliming and name-calling will make a difference to policy formulation and such.
Like what PM Lee says, if you think you have a point to prove and can contribute, form a party and legally challenge. Then go ahead and make your changes.
Otherwise, you're no different from some clown from a certain opposition party who resorts to heckling to attract attention but have no real credibility nonewhatsoever.
I think our govt should commence a study to find out the causes for such a widespread and virulent distrust and dislike of them. There must be reasons for these and a study must be done and counter measures instituted.
Imagine when you hear the Arabs are coming here for treatment and they are paying premium dollars for the beds and same time Singaporeans are told to go to JB for the cheap nursing homes, how would you react?
Put 2 and 2 together the conclusion is Singaporeans should not hog the beds but to make way for the Arabs who can pay more money. Isn't this upsetting when you don't feel loved anymore?
I think the garment should come out to allay this perception.
Yes it is very bad to have such a wide gulf between the ruler and the masses. History has shown that such a situation always end up with the removal of those in power either through the ballot or through the bullet.
Not sure if my earlier post is still yet to be moderated. Here's a (self-regulated) re-post.
"Can we give our views in an objective manner, rather than behave badly?"
Mr tan, I understand your angst. Hear mine.
How do our members of parliament and ministers conduct themselves in distinguished Parliament? Often avoiding the issues and being partisan and condescending.
If we conduct ourselves in such a way, can we blame others for mirroring us?
"If the reaction is likely to be irrational and negative, the government may decide that it is better not to engage the public."
See it this way: The great affective divide that Catherine Lim mentioned more than a decade ago has since widened inexorably. It is impossible to engage in meaningful discourse when the other party is condescending and only wants you to "see things in perspective" (aka their way). I am voting them out for the sake of my country, my family and myself.
The whole trouble now is the current batch of PAP leaders are not worth respecting. Look at what they talk on TV and what The Duke quoted:
"Like what PM Lee says, if you think you have a point to prove and can contribute, form a party and legally challenge. Then go ahead and make your changes."
If PM Lee really said that, it means he do not understand the role of government in a democratic system. He do not know why he was voted for.
Dear Mr Tan Kin Lian,
While I agree respect should be given to other people's view. IMHO, more respect to be given to Minister's view.
However, in this case, I would like to separate it as two different issue, respect and personal values.
As minister and public figure, he/she should be aware that his views would be debated in public. It is actually their duty to rethink how their words will be received by the public.
I would find it more disturbing if Minister for Health, Khaw Boon Wan have actually thought of public feedback and still say "send elderly to Nursing home in Johor Baru".
It seems immoral to send our parents to Johor Baru just to save cost.
Imagine you are the old man being sent. Being old, senile and confused. It is traumatic enough to be sent to an unfamiliar place (nursing home), now being sent so far away, would mean lesser visits from familiar.
So, the cause of uproar may not be due to lack of respect, but matter of big difference in personal values of the Minister and man on the street.
Hi Mr Tan,
I fully agree with the article you wrote on online vulgarity and "unhealthy to have strong dislike and distrust of the government".
However, you need to address this as separate this issue from the personal values issue with "Minister for Health Khaw Boon Wan's comment on sending elderly to Johor Nursing home."
Many people don't agree on sending elderly to Johor, but will agree on your main point.
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