Publication: The Sunday Times, p 8
Date: 02 November 2008
Headline: S'pore Will See More Political Openness: PM
S'~orewill see
more political
openness: PM
In quick succession, Prime Minister
Lee Hsien Loong was peppered
with questions on the local political scene by youth. They related
mainly to leadership renewal, opening up of political space and whether Singapore needs a stronger opposition.
Their interest appeared to surprise MI Lee who noted that most
Singaporeans tend to focus more
cal plurality, like more platforms
for them to hear views f ~ o mboth
the opposition and the ruling People's Action Party (PAP).
"What's missing now and why
is it missing?" he asked.
Undergraduate Andrew Wong
felt he had the answer.
The final-year student at Singapore Management University and
president of the Students Association said if youth have a
greater sense of political
ownership, it codd spark
Tim d i n t approaches
more interest among
them on political issues,
"If MM Lee has his druthers,
instead
being conwhen it comes to the COEs
cemed only about examiand ERP and so on. he will sav nations, scholarships or
'Forget about the ERP. Just ' jobs.But there is a stumbling
squeeze on the Cob, don't let block because he felt there
thembuy cars, then they can't is a social stigma associated with the opposition.
complain. Have the
So, is there a need for a
unhaminess once. done with
credible o ~ ~ o s i t i oinnSinzapore,- h6 'asked Mr Lee.
it'
Yes, said the Prime MinI say' they all want
let
ister, in order to keep the
them own the cars, and 1/11 put PAP on its toes and prevent it from going "soft".
the gantries up, 'beep beep
He also said the Govemthey get angry, never mind,
ment is on the constant
lookout for people with
but at least the get the car.
minds of their own, who
There is a di erence in
may not necessarily agree
mindsets. He's pre ared to
with the ministers but are
chop, I'm prepareirto carve a
prepared to argue their
bit more carefully."
case "doggedly".
The reason is Singapore
PRIME MINISTER LEE HSlEN LOONC, giving an
is a pragmatic country
example of the different leadersh~p
s es
that prides good ideas
between his eneration and that of Xnister
over ideologies, he added.
Mentor Lee $?an Yew
He also assured the
youth that Singapore will
on landing a job after their studies. see more political openness.
However, when probed later,
necessary as society evolves
only a few among the 17- to and"It's
environment changes that we
35-year-olds appeared to take an adjust
our rules and allow a greater
active interest in current political
issues. This was found when Minis- degree of expression and flexibility
ter for Community Development, without having a totally chaotic
Youth a n d Sports Vivian and uncontrollable situation."
That means doing it in a stable
Balakrishnan, who was moderating
the 80-minutedialogue, carried out way, he added.
Raffles Junior College student
a little test.
He asked the 150 youth to give a Zhou Penghui, 17, said he has one
show of hands on whether they big worry: How can Singapore
watch the parliamentary debates or unearth its future political leaders?
The search is unending and unreTV news regularly. Fewer than 10
lenting, Mr Lee said, which means
hands went up.
T h e o u t c o m e l e d Dr combing all segments of Singapore
Balakrishnan to wonder why the society for people with diverse
youth were asking for more politi- skills and talents.
... .
I I
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Source: The Straits Times O Singapore Press Holdings Limited. Permission required for reproduction.