Star performers: Defence, crime levels, education

SINGAPORE — The Government’s work in defence and national security, crime levels and education, stood out in particular for those surveyed*.

Almost all (96 per cent) of the 2,000 individuals who participated in a poll commissioned by MediaCorp considered the Government’s handling of defence and national security matters to be “good”, “very good”, or “excellent”. The remaining ratings on the scale they could vote for were “not so good” and “poor”.

On the same measure, Singapore’s low-crime situation ran a close second, gaining 94 per cent of respondents’ thumbs-up.

Singapore’s education system came in at 90 per cent, with a nod to the equality of opportunities in schools for children of all backgrounds. While they lauded the performance of the school system, a vast number nevertheless continues to be troubled by the stress that schoolchildren are facing.

Out of the 25 policy areas that survey respondents were asked to vote on, 10 registered positive responses from a vast proportion (80 per cent or higher). These include the managing of racial relations and integration, the expansion of green spaces and parks, followed by the state of the public infrastructure. The Government’s stewardship of the economy, support for local arts and culture, work in providing childcare and management of the healthcare system rounded up the list.

Some of the hot topics in the 2011 General Election are viewed favourably by a large majority of respondents (above 70 per cent). Examples include the availability of housing for first-time buyers, the public transport system, as well as the Central Provident Fund system.

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That defence, crime levels and education came out tops came as no surprise to observers, who noted that the same areas have consistently earned plaudits on the international arena. Singapore Management University law academic Eugene Tan, who is a former Nominated Member of Parliament, said: “Where the Government fared well very much reflected the relative pride of Singaporeans in defence and national security, management of crime levels, and quality of the education system.”

He added: “These are also areas where Singapore has received external validation which reinforces the positive reception of these areas.”

Mr Siew Kum Hong, also a former NMP, agreed that “those are areas that the Government has always excelled at”. He said: “I would say that the education results, in particular, are a strong testament to the good work that Minister Heng Swee Keat has done in the past few years.”

*A face-to-face survey commissioned by MediaCorp polled 2,000 eligible voters from July 11 to Aug 6.

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