POSTED: 18 May 2013 8:26 PM
SINGAPORE: Singapore’s Minister in the Prime Minister's Office
Lim Swee Say said grassroots leaders are the "voice of the silent
majority", helping to strengthen ties between the ground and the
government.
Mr Lim, who is also deputy chairman of the People's Association
(PA), made the comments at the PA Awards Ceremony on Saturday
afternoon.
Mr Lim said the ongoing “Our Singapore Conversation”, which
seeks to reach consensus among Singaporeans on the country's
future, illustrates the role of the grassroots movement in reaching
out to what he described as "the silent majority".
He said grassroots leaders reach out to some 1.7 million
residents every year.
Through the interactions, he said they give frank feedback to
the government as well as suggest ideas on how the government can
do better.
Mr Lim said Phase One of the Our Singapore Conversation exercise
involved some 18,000 residents.
He added the feedback received is being taken very seriously by
the government.
He said: "In fact right now, as we're sitting here, the entire
cabinet is at the Istana, going through some of the feedback, some
of the suggestions, put forward by the OSC. In fact, this
afternoon's session is but just one of a series.
“I want you to know, that as a grassroots movement, what you're
doing in voicing out for the silent majority, is a very important
role.”
Mr Lim also spoke of the evolving role of the grassroots
movement, from the 1960s to today.
He said: "In the 60s, we rallied the ground to support National
Service and to keep Singapore clean. In the 70s, Courtesy Campaign,
Speak Mandarin Campaign and so on. And in more recent years, SARS.
Right now, again, the grassroots movement is in action, against
this anti-dengue, this Mozzie Wipeout and so on.”
Mr Lim said there are three areas that the PA could improve on
in the future. The first is to try new ideas, and be open to
innovation as the movement widens its approach. The second is to do
more to bridge an emerging social gap within the community. The
third is to deepen the engagement among residents.
- CNA/qx
