GE2011 +1: Has Anything Really Changed?

PAP more consultative in post-GE 2011, say forum participants

By Imelda Saad, Channel NewsAsia, 20 Mar 2012

Participants at a forum on Singapore politics say the ruling People's Action Party has evolved and has become more consultative in post-GE 2011.

They said the change came about because of the changing nature of the electorate who are now younger.

Professor Kevin Tan, Law Faculty at the National University of Singapore, said: "What happened in 2011 was a culmination of forces whereby different generations actually stood up, along with a change in some of the older generation, to say we want something different, and this is what really changed."

Still opposition members feel while there is change, it has not been enough.



Yee Jenn Jong, Non-Constituency MP, said: "It's a continuum, there are things happening, there's definitely certain change but you're not going to see from suddenly empty to full, that's really a revolution."

Political observers have also described the post-GE 2011 landscape as something new for Singapore politics. With it comes a new cabinet with younger ministers and some might even say a more open and softer approach to policy implementation and public consultation.

Participants said the exhumation of Bukit Brown cemetery is an example of the government's more consultative approach.

And fuelled by the speed in which information and sentiment spreads via new media, participants said the government has also been quick to respond to concerns.

Questions though were raised on whether this may lead to governance by populist policies, which some participants cautioned against.

Tan Su Shan, Nominated MP, said: "2012's Budget could be arguably one of the more populist that we've seen in a long time ... whilst the policies may appeal to the wider audience, we need to calibrate it so it's the right policies."

Dr Intan Azura Mokhtar, MP for Ang Mo Kio GRC, said: "I wouldn't say that the government now is looking short-term instead of long-term, the Budget for example, people have touted it as a populist, inclusive Budget, but I would see it as a Budget that is needed, especially in terms of addressing the needs of those who we feel, whom most of us see as those who need most help."

Dr Intan said what needs to improve is the way the government communicates and executes its policies.