1. The Further Opening of Hong Lim Park and the Trend of Singapore's Democratic Development.
- Author
-
Sun Jing-feng and Sun Pei
- Subjects
SOCIAL democracy ,POLITICAL participation ,PRACTICAL politics ,PUBLIC opinion polls ,PUBLIC demonstrations ,SINGAPOREAN politics & government ,POLITICAL systems - Abstract
In the early August of 2008, at the National Day Rally, Lee Hsien Loong announced that Singapore's government would open up the space for political expression in order to allow Singaporeans and young netizens to develop a greater sense of political involvement, and designate Hong Lim Park as the site for free outdoor demonstrations to give people more public space to express their views. The further opening of Hong Lim Park should be a good development in Singapore's democratic process. Any Singaporean with political consciousness can put forward constructive ideas and views on the various issues about the state and people's livelihood, which can encourage more Singaporeans to participate in politics, Of course, that opening is limited, for demonstration activities are still confined to the Speaker's Corner in the park. The fact that the Singapore government established outdoor demonstration sites somewhat reflects the initiative adaptation and natural selection the Singapore's government has made in response to the challenges from home and abroad. The act of the PAP government has animated Singapore's democratic politics, further improved Singapore's image as an open and cosmopolitan city, strengthened the mediation and feedback of public opinions, and showed a self-confident and friendly image of the government. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2009