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.
Ah Chia,
Are u a PAP supporter coz u display the PAP logo as your thumbnail?
Are u a PAP supporter coz u display the PAP logo as your thumbnail?
Confusing right?
Originally posted by Ah Chia:Confusing right?
'Misleading' would be a better word ..
Fear that the truth about them is going to stick out like a sore thumb!
The internet is benediction for the citizens and a curse for the government - cos the truth cannot be suppressed forever.
maybe they got do the opinion polls... but.........
LKY thinks his son LHL cant handle the truth and will turn emo once he sees them. Bwahahahahaha...
Originally posted by OHSheet:maybe they got do the opinion polls... but.........
LKY thinks his son LHL cant handle the truth and will turn emo once he sees them. Bwahahahahaha...
LOL....an old senile man trying his best to dot on his spoiled brat by building up a "green house" for him.Sheltering him from all the critics n oppose from his countrymen/women,n turn a blind eyes when his son mess up the country that he painstakingly build up.
Not knowing that instead of helping his son,he is actually causing harm to his spoiled brat!!!