MPs who care as crucial as sound policies

July 8, 2008
MPs who care as crucial as sound policies
That's why grassroots work has been a key feature of governance here, says PM
By Goh Chin Lian
SOUND policies alone will not win votes. Singaporeans also looked at whether their MPs showed concern and were friendly and amiable, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. This was why grassroots work, such as weekly Meet-The-People sessions, has been a key element of governance here for over 40 years, he said in an interview with the publication Nanfang Yuekan last month. He added: 'If we do not win the people's hearts, we do not win their votes.' His comments were reported in the June edition of the monthly publication, which is linked to the Chinese Communist Party in Guangdong. Two journalists were here last month to look at governance and Singapore's economic success. Their report, Learning From Singapore, said that in its bid to liberalise and get ahead, Guangdong could take a leaf from Singapore's book. The journalists attended a June 4 Meet-The-People session in the Teck Ghee ward of Ang Mo Kio GRC and sat in as Mr Lee handled requests. They noted that it was routine for MPs, including the Prime Minister, to attend these sessions and that the volunteers came from across society, including lawyers, engineers and factory workers. 'It is precisely this system that allows Singapore voters close and regular contact with their elected MPs,' the report said. That night, PM Lee's session stretched from 8.30pm to past midnight. He met 85 residents whose problems included wanting a foreign spouse to remain here, a training opportunity for a son and a work permit for a daughter-in-law. PM Lee then spent time with the People's Action Party (PAP) branch members who assisted him. It was another way to get a feel of issues in the ward and to discuss solutions. Mr Lee told Nanfang Yuekan, that by being with residents, 'I can get a direct sense of the sensitive issues, which is extremely helpful to the Government's policymaking'. Asked if the large turnout was because he could provide special help, PM Lee laughed and said he must follow rules: 'If I make special arrangements for one case because I am Prime Minister, the Government will be in deep trouble if a similar case crops up next week or the week after.' The journalists concluded that the sessions follow the principle of 'what comes from the people must be returned to the people, and serving them continuously and diligently'. 'It is obvious that PM Lee practises what the PAP advocates,' their report added. chinlian@sph.com.sg