Good govt meets people's needs

Good govt meets people's needs
Sep 01, 2008
my paper

I agree that while Singapore is a democracy, it is very different from other countries which adopt a similar mode of governance.

Compared to older democracies in Europe, for example, we are a young nation with different needs and aspirations. What is right for others might not be right for Singapore.

Should a country fully adopt the democratic model or adapt it - which is what the Government is trying to do - in the process leaving itself open to accusations of being undemocratic?

In Australia, the parliament runs along the Westminster model with a state-funded shadow government.

The leader of the shadow government acts like an opposition prime minister. There is also a shadow treasurer and shadow education minister.

Their main role is to oppose the elected government, thus making the job of the prime minister a difficult one.

MPs do not need to vote according to the party line as there is no Whip. They vote on motions according to their conscience and free will.

Needless to say, the ruling party has a hard time getting motions approved. Many worthwhile proposals are bogged down by debate and unnecessary dialogue.

I feel that while this form of democracy works for Australia, it may not serve Singapore's interests well. Imagine the Government needing to go through a few months of debate before implementing a policy which could benefit the people.

In Singapore, some feel that the restrictions on public demonstrations - an expression of free speech - are fundamental to democracy, thereby making Singapore a limited democracy.

However, does the current system serve us well?

We measure our democracy by the fact that we have regular elections, and that people can vote in another government if they are not in favour of the current one. That, perhaps, is the most fundamental measure of a democratic society - having a say in who rules the country.

Some might argue against group representative constituencies, or complain that there are constituencies which go uncontested.

Even should every constituency be contested, the results would not be much different from the status quo. The People's Action Party has a good track record, and Singaporeans are no fools.

Whether the Government works according to a fully democratic system or adopts a unique version of democracy is immaterial.

More importantly, the Government needs to show that it cares for the needs of the people.

There is no point in having a true-blue democratic government if it fails to meet the needs of the people who voted for it.

How the people voted all these years is a testimony of their faith and trust in our Government.

Mr Gilbert Goh Keow Wah
New South Wales, Australia