Meet-the-People Session: Is this feedback channel for real?
June 14th, 2011 | 
Author: 
Lui Tuck Yew
After all the talk about the PAP government wanting to be serious about feedback from the ground, I decided to meet my MP- Mr Lui Tuck Yew for my first meet-the-people session on Monday. I had hoped that my issue which I have tolerated for six years would be taken into
serious consideration. Since the problem faced is one of transportation, I thought, the Transport Minister would be the best feedback channel.
serious consideration. Since the problem faced is one of transportation, I thought, the Transport Minister would be the best feedback channel.
The horrendous traffic situation, faced daily by drivers at Dunearn Road during school assembling and dismissal times where schools such as SCGS and ACS Primary are located, was highlighted. It is also the same stretch of road where other Bukit Timah schools are situated nearby. Closely related to this is that commuters have no access to a direct bus service from Dunearn Road, Bukit Timah to the road leading to Novena MRT. Presently, commuters need to take a time consuming bus journey to Newton MRT and then take the MRT to Novena and vice-versa. The area around Novena is strategic because of the growth of enrichment centres nearby as well as the location of TTSH. I felt that perhaps, a direct bus service could help reduce the congestion caused.
I was disappointed by his response and explanation.
”Well, I guess we need to encourage more people to take the MRT.” followed by a perfunctory ” Well, we will see what we can do. ” before saying goodbye.
In my opinion, Mr Lui has completely missed my point. The MRT system is so interwined in Singaporeans’ daily lives and would anyone need any encouragement to take the MRT? For more than an hour’s wait, my 3 minute session with him seemed hurried and dismissive. I felt that he was humouring and listening to my grouses without any real attempt to understand my situation. More importantly, no mention on the kind of FOLLOW UP actions was done to address my concerns. In fact, the grassroots leader who heard and recorded my views in writing, minutes prior to meeting my MP, seemed more empathetic and encouraging, noting that this could be a possible refinement to the current situation.
I walked out of the MPS feeling that it was a time-wasting and ineffective feedback channel. This would be my first and last MPS. The lack of sincerity makes a mockery of the unstinting hard work and devotion of the grassroots volunteers.
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Disenchanted
