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LIANHE ZAOBAO - 29.6.2002 (Page 5)

David T E Lim: Government will expand channels to get feedback

The government attaches importance to reaching out to the people to explain to them why certain policies and actions are formulated and implemented. At the same time, it also keeps expanding the channels of getting feedback and suggestions on new policies. This is because Singaporeans are no longer just listening and accepting policies passively.

Acting Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts David T E Lim said at the launch conference of the Ministry's Public Relations Academy (PRA) yesterday that government ministries must acquire the skills to get the message across to the public. Otherwise, even if a policy was well-intended, those affected and other members of the public would not be able to understand why. It might even lead to misunderstanding and unnecessary emotive feelings.

"The Government recognises that communications is a process. It is desirable that the public has time and opportunity to develop a broad and deep understanding of an issue concerning them.

"Therefore, communications is not an event. It should not be carried out in a bureaucratic way. It requires deeper understanding of the public and a greater appreciation of media and communications technologies."

The setting up of the PRA showed the government's commitment and resolve to raise the standard of communications skills in the public service, he added.

He said that wherever possible, the government would strive to open up more channels to get feedback and suggestions, such as the setting up of the Economic Review Committee and the Re-making Singapore Committee.

Speaking at the same event, head of the Civil Service Lim Siong Guan said that views and suggestions aired by readers in local newspapers in recent years underlined the importance of clear and effective government communications with the people.

"Compared with a decade ago, today's Singaporeans know how to use the press to check things out with the government and make suggestions. They even cite data and facts to counter the explanations given by the government. Recent examples are the bus fare hike and the tax adjustments announced by the government."

Mr Lim, who is also the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, noted that today, when the public comment on government policies, their tone, what they say and the way they say it showed that Singaporeans had an insight into events and policies. They expected a certain degree of transparency in the government and wanted to participate in the decision-making process, he said.

"For this reason, public communications has become an integral part of policy formulation. We now require every policy paper to state the anticipated public reaction and the proposed public communication process."

Mr Lim pointed out that the key to communications was being clear and convincing.

The PRA launch conference, held at the Raffles City Convention Centre, was attended by more than 200 senior civil servants, policy-makers and staff of PR agencies in the private sector.

Public communications experts from the US , Britain and Singapore were also invited to deliver papers and share their experiences with the participants.

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