MR TEO Ser Luck lurks incognito on online forums from time to
time, engaging young people in discussions for a sense of where
they stand on issues.
The Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Community Development,
Youth and Sports, and Transport, who uses nicknames like netizens
do, said he has been getting feedback on policies and current
affairs. And he is certain these viewpoints are honest.
'Sometimes, if you use your name, they may not tell you the
truth,' said Mr Teo, who also trawls other sites; on Facebook, for
example, he uses his own name.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the launch of the
revamped youth portal youth.sg yesterday, the MP for Pasir
Ris-Punggol GRC said that contrary to popular belief, youth here
are not politically apathetic: 'I think our youth are quite
well-informed. They are willing to express their views, but you
need to give them space, and they use Internet space.'
Referring to the storm of criticism directed at Ms Tin Pei Ling,
who at 27 is the youngest among the People's Action Party's slate
of candidates for the coming general election, he said: 'Look at
the reaction towards her. Even if it's negative, a lot of it has
come in, so look at it positively - she's drawing interest.'
The revamped youth portal, launched yesterday with a new look
and features on youth culture, lifestyle and the community, aims to
be a space to engage youth. It debuted in 2006 with the Ministry of
Community Development, Youth and Sports' support, as a space for
youth to exchange views on issues affecting them.
-- ST
