By Phua Mei Pin, The Straits Times, 1 May 2012
SINGAPOREANS are sending five times more feedback to the Government than they did in 2006, with the amount of feedback input including e-mail messages and online forum postings making its biggest-ever surge last year, in the wake of watershed elections.
That momentum has also carried on to the first three months of this year, with transport and immigration issues dominating the concerns of those talking to Reach, the government agency in charge of gathering feedback.
Last year, feedback input it received soared to 52,000, up 62 per cent from 32,000 the previous year and an even more massive jump from 9,400 in 2006, when the previous general election was held.
This increase, Reach chairman Amy Khor told The Straits Times, was 'a clear indication that more people want to have a say in decision-making in matters that affect their lives'.
She attributes the growth to heightened public interest and awareness in policy issues, part of which resulted from the general and presidential elections last year. Notably, the average monthly input rose from just under 4,000 before the general election in May, to more than 4,500 in the months after.
Dr Brian Lee, head of UniSIM's communication programme, believes that Singaporeans are now more open and vocal with their views on social and political issues.
'Once they know that there is an online feedback channel like Reach, they will not hesitate to post their feedback without any fear,' he said. 'They also know that their constructive views will be heard and be factored into policymaking.'
Indeed, Reach officials notice that contributors have been increasingly frank, not only in online channels but also at face-to-face dialogue sessions. At a recent post-Budget forum, for instance, many participants voiced their criticisms of the Government's plan to spend $1.1 billion on new public buses.
According to Dr Khor, feedback contributors are also more willing to engage in robust dialogue, not just with the Government, but also with each other. 'The conversation has changed in that it is no longer two-way,' she said.
'It's now multiple conversations going on at the same time.'
That, she added, was a good thing, as it shows there are multiple views on a single issue, and can help Singaporeans better appreciate the challenges of policy making.
Dr Khor also credited the steady growth in public feedback to stepped-up efforts by Reach to engage the public, as well as the growth of online social media.
Last year, more than 90 per cent of feedback came through online channels like e-mail and Reach's discussion forums and Facebook page.
What has also changed are the topics that are seizing the attention of feedback contributors.
Many used to be unhappy about housing, for instance. But after a record number of build-to-order flats were launched and the income ceiling was revised, Reach officials noticed a positive turn in the feedback on housing.
Similarly, public feedback about health-care and elderly issues saw an upturn, following various measures announced earlier this year.
Transport and immigration matters, however, continue to be hot topics and still draw their share of complaints.
More recently, concerns about Singapore's wage gap have become increasingly prominent.
Dr Khor also said that together with the numbers, the diversity of contributors has also grown. 'We are seeing more diverse participants from the young to old, as well as from housewives to professionals and businessmen,' she said.
With the average monthly input hitting 6,000 so far this year, feedback numbers look set to hit record levels.
Said Dr Khor: 'There is a momentum to such things, and the more people speak up, the more others wish to or are emboldened to join in the debate.'
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