REACH poll shows good support for national conversation

SINGAPORE: A telephone poll conducted by Singapore’s government feedback agency REACH has found that most Singaporeans agree with the Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s call for the Singapore of tomorrow to have a bigger heart.

Releasing the survey results on Saturday, REACH said some 98 per cent of Singaporeans polled agreed with this.

97.9 per cent of respondents also agreed that it is important for Singapore to be Singaporeans’ best home.

Some 90 per cent said they could relate to Prime Minister Lee’s vision of Singapore as a home with hope and heart.

The telephone poll, which involved 813 Singapore citizens aged 18 to 79, was conducted from August 29 to September 3.

Some 86 per cent agreed that the Singapore conversation is an opportunity for Singaporeans to define the sort of Singapore they want and how it can be achieved.

67 per cent said they will take part in the national conversation, although some REACH contributors questioned if the conversation will lead to tangible outcomes.

On the theme of a big—hearted society, the poll showed that although 87 per cent agreed that Singapore society today is a harmonious one, 88.2 per cent of the participants felt that some Singaporeans seem to be getting less tolerant.

Turning to relations between citizens and non—citizens, nearly 72 per cent agreed that Singaporeans tend to notice foreigners’ bad behaviour as compared to Singaporeans’ bad behaviour.

93 per cent agreed that both locals and foreigners should work at social cohesion.

Some contributors on REACH platforms did not feel that Singaporeans are "xenophobic" and some also questioned if online negative reactions towards foreigners represented the majority opinion of Singaporeans.

On having more babies, approximately 9 in 10 poll respondents agreed that promoting work—life balance such as flexible work arrangements, improving work culture and housing priority for couples with children are effective measures in encouraging parenthood.

There was also general support for the concept of paternity leave, although REACH contributors highlighted underlying issues that need to be addressed.

These include the impact on businesses and employers’ mindset towards appraisal, which would put fathers in the workforce at a disadvantage.

Commenting on the telephone poll results and feedback received, REACH chairman Dr Amy Khor said: "Prime Minister (Lee) has painted a vivid and compelling vision of Singapore as a home with hope and heart during the Rally.

"It is heartening that this vision for the future has spoken to many Singaporeans, who shared with REACH their views and their hopes... While the telephone poll results are largely encouraging, some areas require further discussion and thought, such as concerns over social spending and relations between citizens and non—citizens."

— CNA/cc