Complaining is out of fashion

From 'Complain' to Petition Nation

Sun, Nov 09, 2008
The Straits Times

Singapore is becoming a sign, sign, sign city state - judging by the spike in online and offline petitions. Recent hot-button issues like the 'mis-selling' of financial products and the furore over a dormitory for foreign workers in a private estate had made the news with push from the petition wagon.

But other petitions, raised more quietly, may also have reached policymakers' ears. Analysts felt that, given that outdoor demonstrations were allowed in Hong Lim Park only two months ago, creating an online petition requires just a few mouse clicks, making it a convenient public advocacy tool.

Some, like Singapore Management University law lecturer Eugene Tan, noted that decision-makers here, while not dismissive of them, do not use petitions as a guide to governance.

Wah! Should I change my name and blog to "ThePetitionKing" instead? hahaha. But not to worry, I think complaining is still human nature. Like Eugene Tan said, decision makers do not use petitions as a guide to governance. Thus, complain more! hahaha!