<![CDATA[The PM now admits.........]]>SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has admitted the government did not have 20/20 foresight, resulting in problems with inadequate infrastructure in the country.


He was speaking at the "Singapore Perspectives" conference on governance organised by the Institute of Policy Studies on Monday.

Acknowledging the problems of insufficient housing and inefficient transportation network, Mr Lee pointed out that the government was blind-sided by the outcome of some international events.

He elaborated that in 2000 and 2001, the 9/11 terrorism attack on the United States plunged countries into recession. Singapore was dealt with a slow economy with minimum population growth and local housing prices went down.

But by 2005 and 2006, Mr Lee said the mood changed and the economy started picking up.

So, he said, the government did what it thought would have been appropriate then. It decided to make up for lost time by growing the population and boosting the economy.

He acknowledged that infrastructure like housing and transport didn’t keep up with that growth.

Mr Lee said: "I decided that we should try and make up for lost time because you want the economy to grow. You want Singapore to make progress and you don’t know how long the sun is going to shine. As it turned out, the sun remained shining for longer than we expected. So the population grew faster than we expected, our infrastructure didn’t keep up.

"The strains showed up…They didn’t show up gradually, progressively but quite suddenly. When the global financial crisis came at the end of the decade, 2007/2008, we expected to go for a very deep dive.

"In fact in one quarter, we had minus 10 percent growth. Nobody talked about house prices, there was no shortage. HDB - we watched the market every day, the resale market was dead but we did the right thing with our Jobs Credit and other measures. We avoided a bullet, the world economy recovered faster than expected.

"In the middle of 2009, the wind changed…those of you in business, you would remember that in the course of two weeks, during one or two private property launches, somehow the wind changed. It’s like the spring breeze touched your face and the market was off. By August, we were thinking of measures to cool things down and we’ve been trying to cool things down ever since.

"So we lacked that 20/20 foresight. Next time, we will try to do better, certainly to have a bigger buffer and not to cut things so fine. But I think it’s very difficult to know, 10 years from now, how many you will need.

"Even if you know how many persons there will be in Singapore, you can’t say how many houses they will need. Will they buy it? Or will they say, ‘oh, I’m not certain because the economy is not looking good or the politics are not certain, well, I’ll hold off’? But when the market goes up, it goes up with a vengeance and we’ve paid the political price, we learn from it."

In the 90-minute question and answer session, Prime Minister Lee also tackled a number of issues which included whether the wide-ranging social nets in Singapore would encourage citizens to become more dependent and if Singapore needs more space for discussion.

Mr Lee is of the view that the government needs to do more but he wants the government to be helping from behind the scenes, as opposed to Singaporeans expecting the government to jump in all the time.

On why there is still a need to moderate social space involving social media, for example, Mr Lee said the online community in particular is not moderating itself.

Extreme views are put out and responses and disapprovals are also extreme. So this cannot be left to itself.

Mr Lee said: "We don’t believe the community in the social space, especially online, moderates itself. It doesn’t happen anywhere in the world.

"You have views going to extremes and when people respond to their views, they may respond in an extreme way, and when people decide to disapprove of something which was inappropriate, the disapproval can also happen in an extreme way.

"It’s in the nature of the medium, the way the interactions work and that’s the reason why we think it cannot be completely left by itself."

- CNA/ir

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/topic/50536/the-pm-now-admitsRSS for NodeThu, 30 Apr 2026 13:25:22 GMTMon, 28 Jan 2013 14:23:37 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to The PM now admits......... on Wed, 30 Jan 2013 01:51:48 GMT]]>

hercules:
Dora1:


And anyone reads lian he zao bao? When I read it at my IL's place occasionally, I sometimes doubt that I am reading the newspaper of another country - why is what is written so different from my own experience, or even ST!

To me, Zao Bao is DEAD.

So shallow and so empty and wonder why still got people buying it (perhaps the older generation people).

It will die in the near future for sure after the older generation passes on.

Am wondering what is the true blue Singaporean vs 'new' Singaporean staff ratio in Zao Bao (with that kind of so low standard of Chinese in our schools, it is difficult to have people with Chinese powerful enough to do meaningful analysis and write up. Best most of our local can do perhaps is to read/write in English and then translate it into Chinese).

Haven't you heard of Hungary Ghost Festival joke? Zao Bao will be / is filling up with people like this.

Zao Bao? YAWN....

The day after WP's first rally, all newspapers were sold out at Rivervale Mall by afternoon ; the day after PAP's last rally (cooling-off day), newspapers were not sold out; the day after WP won the election, all Chinese papers were sold out by 10.30am. Same stall I witnessed from. Not sure if they did alter the supply of the newspapers there though... 😉

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/949040https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/949040Wed, 30 Jan 2013 01:51:48 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to The PM now admits......... on Wed, 30 Jan 2013 01:45:23 GMT]]>

pirate:
Way2GO:

btw, dis A. Fernandez chap was wan of d assentors for KJ fr RP.[/color]


Orrrrrrr! Somebody never did his homework. :spank:

:yikes: :faint:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/949036https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/949036Wed, 30 Jan 2013 01:45:23 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to The PM now admits......... on Wed, 30 Jan 2013 01:36:28 GMT]]>

HVR:
limlim:

[quote=\"HVR\"]

Balanced views, nothing pro government or pro opposition.

http://www.straitstimes.com/premium/forum-letters/story/workers-party-lacks-minority-representation-20130128

ST publish these type of letters.. This is called balanced views? did ST even verify the facts? Not anti-Opp?

We have GRC and I am not concern there will be lack of minority representation regardless who formed the government in future. Maybe the writer did not see enough WP minority on the ground and felt compelled to raise his concern? In any case it gives WP a platform to respond, which they duly did. Balanced, in my view cos we also get to hear from WP.[/quote]Personally, I think WP is safe enough to be brought up, like what pirate said, they are PAP-lite 😉

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/949024https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/949024Wed, 30 Jan 2013 01:36:28 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to The PM now admits......... on Wed, 30 Jan 2013 01:30:41 GMT]]>

HVR:

I beg to differ. Just pick up a copy of ST and you will find many forum letters are critical of government. There are also many insightful columns hitting hard at the inadequacies of the government policies. The different between ST forum letters and columns with that of online community is that the former are more balance and constructive. If you will, today there is another excellent piece of article on why LTK is playing down the PE victory. Balanced views, nothing pro government or pro opposition. Fact is, many in the online community had proudly declared they don't read newspapers anymore. They are happy with one sided view in the online community. Is this healthy?
Nothing comes by by accident. ST is pro PAP, no denial. Majority of online community is pro Opp. That is the way things goes - one making up for the shortage of the other. And objective expressions can also be found in both medium. Some are happy with one sided views from the online community, and some are happy with one sided views from the MSM, including the papers, radio, and TV. In the past, MSM gains a bigger audience, and there is a high possibility that people's perception are formed by what is solely on MSM. Now, social media open people's eyes to different perspectives, and would this be considered unhealthy?

Bear in mind that in unregulated forums, we don't know who the writers are - their nationality, their age, their educational levels, their motives. The interesting thing and one thing different from MSM is the ability to hear their voice, their feedback. Whether you like it or not, it is based on your judgement, and your educational background and thinking skills, experience with life, family background and upbringing - they all play a part.

Looking back at how all these influence the health of our country, I would say it is education. Education not in terms of academic success, but in understanding how the internet world is, vs that of the real world. Some may start out as an angry mob, but they learn as they read more. People's stand and opinion might change. But before that, they've already left their footprints in the net.

I've spoken much in this forum too, and some find me contradicting :evil: , but that's how people are like - because we do not have 20/20 sight either.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/949017https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/949017Wed, 30 Jan 2013 01:30:41 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to The PM now admits......... on Tue, 29 Jan 2013 16:16:44 GMT]]>

HVR:

PM said social media did not 'moderate' itself and cannot be left to itself. I don't know which way this will go but I agree with PM that the views expressed by the online community are too extremes and I think this is extremely unhealthy.
while I agree there are extreme views expressed by the online community, I don't think they represent the majority view. It's the 80/20 rule. We can't really go chasing after the views of the 20%. Focus on the 80% and the general consensus is that we do have housing problems, transport problems, income inequality problems, children education problems.
While the Conversations concept is a step in the right direction, it should be used to gain feedback on the problems at the ground level. Some solution input from the public is always good, but the public is not an expert in providing solutions to national problems. The ministers and PSC scholars in policy making are the folks with the necessary experience and training to solve national issues. That's why they're paid what they're paid.
In general, they are moving in the right direction. However, the implementation detail is where things start to fall through the cracks.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/948902https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/948902Tue, 29 Jan 2013 16:16:44 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to The PM now admits......... on Tue, 29 Jan 2013 15:47:42 GMT]]>that de-rooting Nan Ta and dialects were grave mistakes?


make a guess. The below article written by true blue singaporean or 'new' singaporean?


榜鹅东补选，后港3000人闹哄哄，支持者挤爆工人党“基地”！

后港5道第322座组屋楼下的24小时咖啡店，因为在后港议员每周接见选民的地点对面，被工人党支持者视为非正式的集合地。

由于工人党之前宣布不会有集合中心，昨晚约7时起，许多来自勿洛、实龙岗、四美、淡滨尼等全岛各地的工人党支持者，不约而同涌向第322座，咖啡店开始出现人潮。

现场所见，支持者带来很多道具助兴，有安哥定时敲锣打鼓、有安娣兴起吹起小喇叭、有小妹妹挥动工人党的蓝色小旗子，也有小男孩高举“发啊”大字牌四处跑动，还有多人竖起巨型看板，现场气氛欢腾如嘉年华会。

刘程强一到　马路变“人路”　车道大瘫痪。完整报道，请翻阅27.01.2013《联合晚报》。

http://news.omy.sg/News/Local-News/3000Zhi-Chi-Zhe-Ji-Bao-Gong-Ren-Dang-Ji-Di-131887

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/948893https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/948893Tue, 29 Jan 2013 15:47:42 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to The PM now admits......... on Tue, 29 Jan 2013 14:45:37 GMT]]>

hercules:
Harlequin:



Did they contact the other party for clarification before they call you?

Honestly I dont really know how they work, whether they call any other party (unlikely to be any other though cos I was referring to general social etiquette of Singaporeans as observed in a 'social graciousness' conference.)

Here's my postulation. The call you got was really from a reporter trying to find out more from you to decide if it is a juicy story that they can run. It may have nothing to do with whether they decide to publish the story or not. Probably the idea for the story was shot down somewhere along the line and hence the silence on the matter.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/948840https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/948840Tue, 29 Jan 2013 14:45:37 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to The PM now admits......... on Tue, 29 Jan 2013 12:11:51 GMT]]>

Harlequin:


Did they contact the other party for clarification before they call you?
Honestly I dont really know how they work, whether they call any other party (unlikely to be any other though cos I was referring to general social etiquette of Singaporeans as observed in a 'social graciousness' conference.)

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/948759https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/948759Tue, 29 Jan 2013 12:11:51 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to The PM now admits......... on Tue, 29 Jan 2013 09:57:09 GMT]]>

hercules:
Harlequin:



Someone told me that ST actually published all letters, non-flaming ones. Not sure if it's true.




Illogical for ST to publish all 'non-flaming' letters.

Years back I wrote in to voice a mockery of people using handphone in a conference when the conference's topic was on some 'social graciousness' issues.

Educators, HR people, etc, formed the bulk of the attendance but some of these people still continued to let their phones ring and answered the calls. So much about 'social graciousness'.

In my letter, I mocked at the failure of our education system to churn out educators and HR people like this.

Someone from ST called me to clarify some facts and I answered.

But the letter was not published at the end.

I couldn't be bothered to find out the reason why cos I know the selfish behaviour of some Singaporeans are impossible to change with no matter what kind of letters being published or not.

'Social Graciousness'?? YAWN...

Ya, I know... me too, YAWN...
Non-flaming is to their discretion.

Did they contact the other party for clarification before they call you?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/948690https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/948690Tue, 29 Jan 2013 09:57:09 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to The PM now admits......... on Tue, 29 Jan 2013 09:52:42 GMT]]>

Harlequin:


Someone told me that ST actually published all letters, non-flaming ones. Not sure if it's true.



Illogical for ST to publish all 'non-flaming' letters.

Years back I wrote in to voice a mockery of people using handphone in a conference when the conference's topic was on some 'social graciousness' issues.

Educators, HR people, etc, formed the bulk of the attendance but some of these people still continued to let their phones ring and answered the calls. So much about 'social graciousness'.

In my letter, I mocked at the failure of our education system to churn out educators and HR people like this.

Someone from ST called me to clarify some facts and I answered.

But the letter was not published at the end.

I couldn't be bothered to find out the reason why cos I know the selfish behaviour of some Singaporeans are impossible to change with no matter what kind of letters being published or not.

'Social Graciousness'?? YAWN...

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/948688https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/948688Tue, 29 Jan 2013 09:52:42 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to The PM now admits......... on Tue, 29 Jan 2013 09:23:00 GMT]]>

Harlequin:
limlim:

[quote=\"HVR\"]

Balanced views, nothing pro government or pro opposition.

http://www.straitstimes.com/premium/forum-letters/story/workers-party-lacks-minority-representation-20130128

ST publish these type of letters.. This is called balanced views? did ST even verify the facts? Not anti-Opp?

Someone told me that ST actually published all letters, non-flaming ones. Not sure if it's true.[/quote]few post before kwcllf already mentioned that his/her letter not published..

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/948653https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/948653Tue, 29 Jan 2013 09:23:00 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to The PM now admits......... on Tue, 29 Jan 2013 09:18:11 GMT]]>

Dora1:

And anyone reads lian he zao bao? When I read it at my IL's place occasionally, I sometimes doubt that I am reading the newspaper of another country - why is what is written so different from my own experience, or even ST!
To me, Zao Bao is DEAD.

So shallow and so empty and wonder why still got people buying it (perhaps the older generation people).

It will die in the near future for sure after the older generation passes on.

Am wondering what is the true blue Singaporean vs 'new' Singaporean staff ratio in Zao Bao (with that kind of so low standard of Chinese in our schools, it is difficult to have people with Chinese powerful enough to do meaningful analysis and write up. Best most of our local can do perhaps is to read/write in English and then translate it into Chinese).

Haven't you heard of Hungary Ghost Festival joke? Zao Bao will be / is filling up with people like this.

Zao Bao? YAWN....

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/948646https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/948646Tue, 29 Jan 2013 09:18:11 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to The PM now admits......... on Tue, 29 Jan 2013 05:41:02 GMT]]>

Dora1:
Actually ST is one of the better MSM, esp after GE2011. To give them credit, they are improving the coverage on the other side of the fence, although it's still not totally impartial. But I'm happy that there is some improvement. Seriously, after Sat's results, what else can MSM report besides the hard truth that people are seriously pissed off.

But if you look at the other MSM, e.g. CNA.... did anybody catch the commentary on CNA on Sat night?? The so-called analysis??!
And anyone reads lian he zao bao? When I read it at my IL's place occasionally, I sometimes doubt that I am reading the newspaper of another country - why is what is written so different from my own experience, or even ST!
You're genuinely truthful, rational, and impartial in your views. Admirable! :salute:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/948429https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/948429Tue, 29 Jan 2013 05:41:02 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to The PM now admits......... on Tue, 29 Jan 2013 05:34:09 GMT]]>

Dora1:
Actually ST is one of the better MSM, esp after GE2011. To give them credit, they are improving the coverage on the other side of the fence, although it's still not totally impartial. But I'm happy that there is some improvement. Seriously, after Sat's results, what else can MSM report besides the hard truth that people are seriously pissed off.

But if you look at the other MSM, e.g. CNA.... did anybody catch the commentary on CNA on Sat night?? The so-called analysis??!
And anyone reads lian he zao bao? When I read it at my IL's place occasionally, I sometimes doubt that I am reading the newspaper of another country - why is what is written so different from my own experience, or even ST!
Interesting observation.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/948419https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/948419Tue, 29 Jan 2013 05:34:09 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to The PM now admits......... on Tue, 29 Jan 2013 05:27:16 GMT]]>Actually ST is one of the better MSM, esp after GE2011. To give them credit, they are improving the coverage on the other side of the fence, although it’s still not totally impartial. But I’m happy that there is some improvement. Seriously, after Sat’s results, what else can MSM report besides the hard truth that people are seriously pissed off.

But if you look at the other MSM, e.g. CNA… did anybody catch the commentary on CNA on Sat night?? The so-called analysis??!
And anyone reads lian he zao bao? When I read it at my IL’s place occasionally, I sometimes doubt that I am reading the newspaper of another country - why is what is written so different from my own experience, or even ST!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/948416https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/948416Tue, 29 Jan 2013 05:27:16 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to The PM now admits......... on Tue, 29 Jan 2013 03:43:23 GMT]]>

limlim:
HVR:



Balanced views, nothing pro government or pro opposition.

http://www.straitstimes.com/premium/forum-letters/story/workers-party-lacks-minority-representation-20130128

ST publish these type of letters.. This is called balanced views? did ST even verify the facts? Not anti-Opp?

Someone told me that ST actually published all letters, non-flaming ones. Not sure if it's true.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/948321https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/948321Tue, 29 Jan 2013 03:43:23 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to The PM now admits......... on Tue, 29 Jan 2013 03:37:46 GMT]]>

Way2GO:
btw, dis A. Fernandez chap was wan of d assentors for KJ fr RP.[/color]

Orrrrrrr! Somebody never did his homework. :spank:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/948314https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/948314Tue, 29 Jan 2013 03:37:46 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to The PM now admits......... on Tue, 29 Jan 2013 03:35:12 GMT]]>

limlim:
HVR:



Balanced views, nothing pro government or pro opposition.

http://www.straitstimes.com/premium/forum-letters/story/workers-party-lacks-minority-representation-20130128

ST publish these type of letters.. This is called balanced views? did ST even verify the facts? Not anti-Opp?

PRITAM SINGH RESPONDS TO ST LETTER ABOUT WP LACKING MINORITY REPRESENTATION
http://therealsingapore.com/content/pritam-singh-responds-st-letter-about-wp-lacking-minority-representation

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/948311https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/948311Tue, 29 Jan 2013 03:35:12 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to The PM now admits......... on Tue, 29 Jan 2013 03:34:14 GMT]]>

HVR:

Balanced views, nothing pro government or pro opposition.
Many with more discerning views wld beg to differ.
HVR:
limlim:

http://www.straitstimes.com/premium/forum-letters/story/workers-party-lacks-minority-representation-20130128

ST publish these type of letters.. This is called balanced views? did ST even verify the facts? Not anti-Opp?

We have GRC and I am not concern there will be lack of minority representation regardless who formed the government in future. Maybe the writer did not see enough WP minority on the ground and felt compelled to raise his concern? In any case it gives WP a platform to respond, which they duly did. Balanced, in my view cos we also get to hear from WP.

HVR, without being partisan, can u seriously defend ST publishing dis letter in d first place?
ST had reporters on d ground during d campaign.
They also didn't see Pritam, Faisal or other minority volunteers?
Or were Pritam & Faisal really Chinese dressed up for Racial Harmony Day?
Please look at video link (fr 0:10):
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=nMl1XoNPEW4][/youtube]
d tone of d letter is very disturbing.
Either d editor is sleeping or he has allowed ST to be a party to mischief in trying to sow racial discord.

btw, dis A. Fernandez chap was wan of d assentors for KJ fr RP.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/948309https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/948309Tue, 29 Jan 2013 03:34:14 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to The PM now admits......... on Tue, 29 Jan 2013 02:23:22 GMT]]>

HVR:

I beg to differ. Just pick up a copy of ST and you will find many forum letters are critical of government. There are also many insightful columns hitting hard at the inadequacies of the government policies. The different between ST forum letters and columns with that of online community is that the former are more balance and constructive. If you will, today there is another excellent piece of article on why LTK is playing down the PE victory. Balanced views, nothing pro government or pro opposition. Fact is, many in the online community had proudly declared they don't read newspapers anymore. They are happy with one sided view in the online community. Is this healthy?
I agree that comments on online forums can get extreme, and it is an undeniable fact!

But then, mainstream media pick and choose what to publish. Of course, they have to sieve out the extreme ones but, there were also cases where good comments/feedback were thrown out.

Just a case in point. About 2 yeara back, I went to the Comex Fair after seeing an \"incredible\" offer for mobile & handset plan. I rushed down and only on the spot that I was told that I needed to sign up another plan before I could be entitled to the \"offer\". I questioned the Telco's staff there and asked why wasn't the T&C clearly printed on the brochures and newspaper advertisements. He could not answer me and he got a manager to speak to me. When I asked him the same question, he could not answer me as well. Then the manager got the Roadshow Manager to talk to me. I was then told by him that \"this is how we do thing!\" This is really incredulous and I told him straight off this is misleading and downright cheating from a major Telco here!

I wrote to ST and it did not reply. Then I wrote to IDA, which subsequently contacted the Telco. A senior staff from the Telco then called me to apologise and said \"next time, we will ensure the proper info is printed clearly\". She then went on to offer me a discount to my subscription.

I think this case shows the Telco was clearly misleading consumers but yet was able to get away with it. I think the gravity of this case should also be published so that the General Public would not be deceived by such underhand method, but still ST did not deem it good enough to be published!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/948239https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/948239Tue, 29 Jan 2013 02:23:22 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to The PM now admits......... on Tue, 29 Jan 2013 02:13:31 GMT]]>

limlim:
HVR:



Balanced views, nothing pro government or pro opposition.

http://www.straitstimes.com/premium/forum-letters/story/workers-party-lacks-minority-representation-20130128

ST publish these type of letters.. This is called balanced views? did ST even verify the facts? Not anti-Opp?

We have GRC and I am not concern there will be lack of minority representation regardless who formed the government in future. Maybe the writer did not see enough WP minority on the ground and felt compelled to raise his concern? In any case it gives WP a platform to respond, which they duly did. Balanced, in my view cos we also get to hear from WP.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/948226https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/948226Tue, 29 Jan 2013 02:13:31 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to The PM now admits......... on Tue, 29 Jan 2013 01:53:53 GMT]]>

HVR:


Balanced views, nothing pro government or pro opposition.
http://www.straitstimes.com/premium/forum-letters/story/workers-party-lacks-minority-representation-20130128

ST publish these type of letters.. This is called balanced views? did ST even verify the facts? Not anti-Opp?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/948194https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/948194Tue, 29 Jan 2013 01:53:53 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to The PM now admits......... on Tue, 29 Jan 2013 01:48:15 GMT]]>

3Boys:

Oops! :oops:

Now I'm gonna get rained on and be accused of being a closet PAP activist......no rational person could possibly be supportive of the government unless he had some ulterior motive, right?
If you support PAP for the correct reason, why not? :evil:

But if someone does it bcoz he worry the votes could be traced and he is civil servant etc... That is bad.......

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/948189https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/948189Tue, 29 Jan 2013 01:48:15 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to The PM now admits......... on Tue, 29 Jan 2013 01:46:48 GMT]]>

Dora1:
HVR:

Nobody can have 20/20 foresight. Who would expect 2003 Sars outbreak? Our country was almost crippled by it and I deeply appreciate how the government tackled the crisis. No resources spared and no chances taken and I don't remember any suggestions or feedback or anything from opposition parties.


With regard to social media, it's a joke sometimes. Bloggers are not too bad, they say what they said and are ultimately responsible for it. Forums, on the other hand, provided an opportunity for people to be irresponsible. I am not saying all forum-ers are irresponsible but I noticed in some other forums, it's practically only anti-establishment views are allowed. If you expressed support for PAP, you will be called names, ridiculed, cursed and so on. Where is the maturity? How to debate in such serious topic as politic if people are not mature?

If you seriously analyze the views shared by some of these forum-ers, you would realize they actually have little views. They are only interested in inciting emotion and generate hatres. Sometime I wonder PAP, why, as a political party, chose to leave all these views unchallenged. I am sure they can get their activists to post objective views and their side of the story in these forums as well. If you want to be heard and defense yourself against all these allegations in the Internet forums, you have to be in the forums. They don't have to respond as government, just someone with different views and someone who want the different views to be heard.

In KSP, can you imagine if we don't have 3boys? It will be one sided as well. Luckily unlike other forums, majority here still debate rationally. I am not saying 3boys is a PAP supporter, he said more than once he had voted for opposition. My point is, generally, Internet forums only contain views that are in support of opposition. It's too one sided and its not healthy in term of objectivity.

PM said social media did not 'moderate' itself and cannot be left to itself. I don't know which way this will go but I agree with PM that the views expressed by the online community are too extremes and I think this is extremely unhealthy.

Actually I'll like to think that the reason why the online community is mostly anti establishment is because MSM is too skewed on the other side. So people with grunts and grouses can only turn online because everywhere in MSM is singing the same tune. And most people feel that there is no need to offer the establishment point of view because the MSM is flooded with them.
I'll like to think that if the MSM is allowed to offer a better balance of views, it will not drive only disgruntled people online.
So better balance of views online and in MSM should be our ultimate aim.

I beg to differ. Just pick up a copy of ST and you will find many forum letters are critical of government. There are also many insightful columns hitting hard at the inadequacies of the government policies. The different between ST forum letters and columns with that of online community is that the former are more balance and constructive. If you will, today there is another excellent piece of article on why LTK is playing down the PE victory. Balanced views, nothing pro government or pro opposition. Fact is, many in the online community had proudly declared they don't read newspapers anymore. They are happy with one sided view in the online community. Is this healthy?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/948187https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/948187Tue, 29 Jan 2013 01:46:48 GMT