Ex-DPM Wong Kan Seng rebukes lobby groups in S'pore in rare media coverage

He elevates government's status to referee when there's conflict in society, referring to recent National Library Board saga.

Belmont Lay| August 03, 09:20 AM

Ex-deputy prime minister Wong Kan Seng received some rare media coverage on Aug. 2, 2014, in a Channel News Asia report, after he has been largely out of the limelight following the 2011 General Election.

The CNA report covered his speech at the Bishan East National Day Dinner Celebrations on Saturday evening, where he rebuked lobby groups in Singapore, and at the same time, said the government is open to the views of everyone.

His speech referred to the National Library Board (NLB)'s recent decision to remove three children's books due to a public complaint.

 

Here are several choice quotes culled from the CNA piece:

The government apparently has an open-door policy for feedback:

"Our MPs and ministers are available in face to face meetings each week at MPS or when they attend constituency events."

"Citizens are able to express their views and gain access to policy-makers through online feedback mechanisms such as REACH and the government's various citizen and industry consultations."

 

But the government shouldn't be used as a leverage:

"... we should guard against any one lobby group from hijacking the public discourse and pressure policymaking against the interests of wider community."

Wong said the government "acts as a referee when conflicts arise between different quarters of society" and it is their responsibility to "rebalance and adjust its policies" when values and attitudes change.

 

Because the government can be so easily manipulated:

"This openness of our government and policy makers is a valuable asset that needs looking after."

"It must not be exploited to advance narrow self-interests. No lobby group should be allowed to jeopardise the interests of the majority.

Incidentally, a lobby group will be organising an event, questioning NLB and its recent decision to remove the book.

MARUAH, a local human rights non-governmental organisation, will hold a panel discussion to provide their take on the recent NLB saga and on the right to information and expression. 

Four questions though:

Wong mentioned about the openness of our policy makers. However, the public does not know about NLB's guidelines on removing books. Neither do the MPs. In fact, at least seven MPs are seeking answers on NLB's policies in parliament tomorrow. For instance, how do its officers assess public feedback and when do its officers decide to withdraw the books?

Did Wong provide his inputs to Communications and Information Minister Yaacob Ibrahim or in public when the NLB saga was gathering steam and hogging headlines?

Will he be asking a parliamentary question on behalf of his concerned constituents tomorrow?

Finally, Wong said that the government must not be exploited to advance narrow interests. But since when was the government in Singapore such pushovers?

 

Top photo via Channel News Asia video

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