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45% of Singaporeans aware of debate back NLB: REACH poll

SINGAPORE — A poll by government feedback unit REACH has found six in 10 Singaporeans surveyed were aware of the debate surrounding the National Library Board’s (NLB) decision to withdraw three children’s book titles.

SINGAPORE — A poll by government feedback unit REACH has found six in 10 Singaporeans surveyed were aware of the debate surrounding the National Library Board’s (NLB) decision to withdraw three children’s book titles.

Among those who were aware, 45 per cent supported the NLB’s move, 28 per cent disagreed and 23 per cent were neutral about the matter.

The poll was done by telephone over four days — Monday to Thursday — with 843 Singapore residents aged 15 and above, about a week after the withdrawal came to light. “We commissioned a poll to find out the ground sentiments on this issue, which has seen vigorous debate among some Singaporeans recently,” said Dr Amy Khor, Senior Minister of State (Health and Manpower) and REACH chairman, in a statement.

The poll found that slightly more than half (52 per cent) of all respondents agreed that books contravening traditional family values should not be made available in the children’s section of public libraries. Twenty-one per cent disagreed with this and 23 per cent were neutral.

Among those who knew of the issue, more than half of them suggested that the NLB should have taken other measures other than destroying the books. These methods include placing them at the adults’ section or donating them to charity. Twenty-two per cent felt they should be pulped, while the rest were unsure or had no comment.

Dr Khor said the results “remind us that there are still issues that are divisive and can fracture us as a country”. “It is, therefore, important not to let these divisions deepen and tear us apart. In the interest of all Singaporeans and future generations, let us discuss this rationally and find a common ground that we can agree on,” she said. ALFRED CHUA

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