Singaporeans want greater say

Singaporeans want greater say

SINGAPORE (AP): A government poll released yesterday shows Singaporeans feel the state does not consult them when making decisions, is unable to accept criticism, and inhibits freedom of speech.

In a survey of 1,075 respondents questioned by mail, only 22 percent said the government consults them when forming policy. Asked whether it should, 67 percent said yes.

Additionally, 40 percent of respondents said the Singapore government was unable to take criticism, compared to 28 percent who thought it could. The remaining 32 percent had no opinion.

Published in The Straits Times, the survey was conducted as part of a feedback exercise by Singapore's government.

But 88 percent said they trusted the government to run the country, and 83 percent who felt it was committed to serving citizens.