Covid-19 crisis Ministers should provide clear leadership and listen to the people
I had a Zoom meeting with a Singaporean friend, X, who has lived overseas for several years. He followed the politics in Singapore closely through the internet. 

X made the following remarks:

1. The 4G leaders are not giving a clear message to the people on their handling of the pandemic.

2. The 4G leaders are not listening to the views of the general public.

I told X that I disagreed with his remarks. 

Let me first address the issue of leadership.

I have been following the Facebook page of the health minister, Ong Ye Kung. He explained clearly, on a regular basis, on the decisions that are being taken by the task force.

I may disagree with some of the decisions, but I do not judge the ministers' decisions to be wrong. 

I suggested to X that he should follow the posts and videos that are put up by the task force and not make a wrong judgment (about the poor leadership) out of ignorance.

I now address the complaint that the ministers do not listen to the public.

I have seen comments made by the general public to the Facebook posts made by the minister. 

This would be a useful channel for the general public to give their views.

I am quite sure that the minister or his aides would have paid attention to the views that are clearly and logically set out.

I observe that most of the views are incoherent, not convicing and not useful.

Several positive comments were made out of courtesy to the minister. They did not contain any useful contribution.

Several negative comments were made by people who obviously did not take the trouble to listen to what the minister had said.

Instead, the writers expressed their views which are often based on wrong premises and reasoning. These writers were arrogant in assuming that they are right and are better than the ministers.

It is difficult for most of the views to be considered, as they are not expressed clearly, logically or convincingly. 

I find it ironic that the people who complained that the ministers are not listening to them are the ones who are not listening to the ministers. 

Tan Kin Lian

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