I don't have clever answers but can you vote for me?

Final year NTU aerospace student Lim Zi Rui 23 asked: Did SM Goh Chok Tong know many young people no longer felt a sense of ownership in Singapore?

Answer:

"If that is prevalent among young people over here, we've got a real problem," SM Goh said, "If the majority feel that they don't belong here, then we have a fundamental problem. Then I would ask myself: What am I doing here? Why should I be working for people who don't feel they belong over here?"

I thank Zi Rui for waking up the idea of those sleeping in their ivory towers.

I think most people are reluctant to share their ideas or seek answers from MIW especially Million Dollar Ministers. The reason is obvious. When asked a question, more often than not, they twist and turn instead of giving you a straight answer. Trying to act pap-smart, they behave like "lawyer buruk" answering your question with a question. They can also get defensive and act offensive by giving you retorts that makes you appear like a retard. They hope.

Classic examples:

• "You want to have a home. Who is going to build your flat?"
• "This is your country. What do you want me to do to make you feel you belong?"
• "Why should I be working for people who don't feel they belong over here?"

Mr Goh Chok Tong, recounted an exchange he often has: "When we go on house-to-house visit, very often we come to someone who says, "I've never seen you, only at election time."

"My reply has always been, "Yes, how come I've never seen you?" .ST 30 Oct 2010.

7 magnificent answers: You've never seen me because:

1. You are in your Ivory Tower all the time (except election time)
2. With all the Gurkha guards, how to visit you?
3. I do not wish to appear as a sychophantic toady
4. I don't need your vote
5. I'm just a lesser mortal
6. You are way too rich for me
7. Where got time? Must work to feed myself and family

"Why should I be working for people who don't feel they belong over here?"

Holy $,$$$,$$$! He must be kidding? He is the Senior Minister. I do not know SM's exact job specifications are, but I believe making people feel that they belong should be one of them. If he gives up on them so easily, can you blame them for having lost their sense of belonging? SM's answer betrays the caring cohesiveness and unity that Singapore should have. What happens to "Pledge ourselves as one united people . . . . . " If he quits on them so easily, very soon Singapore will be be a nation of "quitters".

Reported from ST with picture, "Ms Siobhan Lau is the organising chairman for this year's NTU Ministerial forum. Mr Goh noted that the chairmen at his previous two appearances at the forum in 1986 and 1996 - Mr R. Sinnakaruppan and Mr Zaqy Mohamad - both went to become MPs. "Perhap, Siobhan. . .?" he quipped.

Jocular as it may seem, I detect a very subtle PAP recruiting drive in NTU.

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