YOUNGER Singaporeans do not just want to be heard; they aspire
for a say in policymaking.
Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong thinks that is a good thing: It is
a sign that they want to help build a better society. No matter how
efficient and honest the Government was in the past, and is today,
the clamour for more participation must be expected, he said on
Friday.
Mr Goh was speaking at the Singapore-China Forum on Leadership
held at the Ritz Carlton hotel, where 77 top government officials
from Singapore and China met to discuss the importance of
developing good leaders to build social harmony. Building trust
between government and citizens is a continuous process, he noted,
adding that a new generation of Singaporeans has grown up without
memories of the poverty, uncertainty and strife of earlier
years.
He said: 'Their starting point in life is today's high-water
mark, not yesterday's low tide. No matter how honest and efficient
the Government was in the past, they expect the Government to meet
their new aspirations. The new generation of Singaporeans wants not
only to be heard but also to participate in the decision
process.
'Instead of regarding this development as a vexatious demand for
Government to be more open, transparent and accountable, it should
be regarded as a positive sign of the citizens wanting to join in
to build a better society.
'As basic needs are fulfilled, we must expect such a trend, no
matter how much the people trust the Government.'
-- ST