Informal social networks to bond Singapore (Choo Min Yi)

Home    The Sunday Times July 22, 2012

‘No substitute for a

listener in bad times’

Summary of article

Space for volunteers, charities to build informal social networks: Tharman

 By Andrea Ong

The government will “leave space” for volunteers, charities and other groups to build networks with residents, in line with a national push to build an inclusive society in which the authorities work together with individuals and organisations to strengthen the social compact As at March, he noted, grassroots organisations have engaged one in three Indian residents, or about 110,000 of them. He expressed confidence they would meet the People’s Association’s goal of engaging one in two Indian residents by 2015. DPM Tharman said the IAECs, which had built ties with residents and were trusted, were well-placed to achieve these goals. Mr C. Manoharan, who chairs Yew Tee CC’s IAEC, agreed that informal networks – such as with grassroots volunteers and social work professionals – were needed to identify and reach needy families, some of whom may not come forward because of pride. His IAEC teams up with other grassroots groups and organisations like temples to look out for such families, to help them get education grants for their children or to send volunteers to spring-clean their homes during the festive season. 

Commentary

I feel that Mr Tharman is correct in this case. The government must take a step back and allow the community to bond and reach out to one another sometimes, as the numerous interference by the government may cause some people to shy away from this social networks, as they may feel that their privacy is being infringed upon if the government steps in all the time. Other community networks, such as the IAEC, is sufficient to help the community bond as they are closer to the Indian community, and may understand their needs better than the government, who may be better of doing other things for the people. As the Indian community is brought closer to form a tight-knit, cohesive community, I feel that one thing that the government can do to help in this case is to bring the different communities of different races together, and let the executive communities bond their respective communities. This way, the members of each  race will not feel that the government in interfering in their racial affairs, and instead open up to the executive communities which are in charge of their affairs, especially for needy families who do not wish to rely on the government due to pride or other reasons. This will lessen the government’s burden as they know that there are efficient and trusted executive communities to take care of their people’s needs.