Thursday, November 5, 2009

Build up the public opinion

Several people asked if there is any point in making suggestions in the media, if the authorities are not paying attention and will not reply to these suggestions.

The purpose of expressing our views is NOT to convince the authorities, as they do not agree with the suggestions and will not want to change their views. Some people say that they do not care.

The purpose is to educate the public and to build the public opinion. If many people are aware that there is a better alternative to the current policies and are willing to express their views strongly, the authorities cannot continue to ignore them.

I urge the public to be willing to express your views and, preferably, to add your name so that they carry more weight.

In other countries, the public will go out to demonstrate in the streets. It is quite sad that the people are not allowed to express their views through demonstration in Singapore. We can adopt the next best approach, and that is to express our views openly, and educate other people to these views. Let us build up the public opinion.

Tan Kin Lian