July 31, 2009
In a latest survey conducted by the Hong Kong Institute of
Asia-Pacific Studies of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, only
10.9 per cent were satisfied with the overall performance of
lawmakers, out of 815 respondents.
About 54.5 per cent said their performance was “normal” but 32.3
per cent found it “unsatisfactory”. Some 42.1 per cent of
respondents thought lawmakers were not doing enough to tell the
government about Hong Kong people’s concerns. The full results were
published on the island’s main English newspaper - The South China
Morning Post (read article here)
I wondered what the results will show if a similiar survey is
conducted in Singapore, which is almost unheard of. Since when did
Singaporeans ever know about the performance ratings of their
lawmakers?
The three universities in Singapore should have the necessary
expertise and resources to conduct such surveys. Surprisingly, the
academia has been conspicuously silent about the latest
socio-political developments in Singapore.
The PAP have always claimed it has the overwhelming “mandate” of
the people to rule the country. However, their claims were never
substantiated by frequent opinion polls.
The general elections, held only once every five years, is
an inaccurate reflection of the government’s popularity due to
serious flaws within the system such as the GRC and rampant
gerry-mandering which has allowed the incumbent to consolidate and
perpetuate its rule continuously uninterrupted for five
decades.
If the PAP government is indeed run by the best talents in
Singapore, why is it so apprehensive to conduct an opinion poll to
find out the real sentiment on the ground? Are Singaporeans happy
with their leadership?
Over in Malaysia, the Merdeka Center conducted such polls on a
regular basis. The latest poll showed the approval ratings of Prime
Minister Najib Razak increased from 45% to 65%, a testimony of the
right moves he had made so far since assuming the premiership. He
had also released a set of KPIs or key performance indicators for
his ministers.
Without opinion polls, the
government will never know how well its policies are received by
the people. It will be like a ship sailing out into the open sea
without a compass.
The people are the best judge of the ministers’ performance.
Everybody from the Prime Minister down to every senior minister of
state should not be afraid to have their performances assessed by
the people. It will also promote active citizenry and give
Singaporeans more say in how their country is being governed.
Singapore is perhaps the only developed country in the world
where there is a gag imposed on the approval ratings of its Prime
Minister. We can easily google about
the latest approval rating for Barack Obama, Donald Tsang, Ma
Ying-Jeou, Taro Aso, Gordon Brown and Najib Razak, but will hit a
blank if we try “Lee Hsien Loong”.
Why is the government so
apprehensive about conducting and publicizing regular opinion polls
about its performance? Doesn’t public opinion matter in the
formulation and implementation of their policies? Or are they
simply afraid that the reality may be radically different from the
propaganda they have been spewing out daily through the
state-controlled media?
Prime Minister Lee and his team should always bear in mind that
their position, power and salaries are given by the people of
Singapore. It is only right that we are
given the opportunity to air our support or dissatisfaction openly
for them to know.
http://temasekreview.com/?p=11452