Youths lock horns at Young PAP debate
SINGAPORE: Foreign competition in Singapore was at the top of young peoples' minds in a debate organised by the People's Action Party's youth wing, the Young PAP.
Two teams of three debaters argued whether government policies are crafted considering Singaporeans first. On one side - the proposition, believe that government policies are made with Singaporeans' interests at the heart. And this includes policies concerning housing and education.
Their opponents naturally disagreed, saying it is impossible to craft policies considering Singaporeans first because Singaporeans do not even know what they want.
Lee Junior, one of the debaters for the opposition, said during the debate: "Citizens want cheap rental flats as long as (it's) not built by them, or foreign workers who are not clogging up the public transport... The government, if it attempts to bend to the needs of Singaporeans, will be akin to a cat chasing a laser pointer."
In turn, the proposition argued that allowing foreign competition in Singapore sharpens Singaporeans.
Shirwin Eu, one of the debaters for the proposition, argued: "We want Singapore to grow. And can we grow internally, can we develop one iPhone, so to speak? Can you invent a Toyota car? Can you produce anything from your own resources, and not forgetting that Singapore - we do not have any natural resources. The only resource we have is our brain."
In the end, the opposition won, getting 17 out of the 25 votes cast.
Previous debates held by the ruling party's youth wing were members-only affairs. There was also no voting process to decide which side won. By throwing in voting and allowing non-members to participate in this debate however, the organisation hopes to reach out to more youths outside the party.
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By Dylan Loh | Posted: 29 October 2011 2034 hrs
SINGAPORE: Foreign competition in Singapore was at the top of young peoples' minds in a debate organised by the People's Action Party's youth wing, the Young PAP.
Two teams of three debaters argued whether government policies are crafted considering Singaporeans first. On one side - the proposition, believe that government policies are made with Singaporeans' interests at the heart. And this includes policies concerning housing and education.
Their opponents naturally disagreed, saying it is impossible to craft policies considering Singaporeans first because Singaporeans do not even know what they want.
Lee Junior, one of the debaters for the opposition, said during the debate: "Citizens want cheap rental flats as long as (it's) not built by them, or foreign workers who are not clogging up the public transport... The government, if it attempts to bend to the needs of Singaporeans, will be akin to a cat chasing a laser pointer."
In turn, the proposition argued that allowing foreign competition in Singapore sharpens Singaporeans.
Shirwin Eu, one of the debaters for the proposition, argued: "We want Singapore to grow. And can we grow internally, can we develop one iPhone, so to speak? Can you invent a Toyota car? Can you produce anything from your own resources, and not forgetting that Singapore - we do not have any natural resources. The only resource we have is our brain."
In the end, the opposition won, getting 17 out of the 25 votes cast.
Previous debates held by the ruling party's youth wing were members-only affairs. There was also no voting process to decide which side won. By throwing in voting and allowing non-members to participate in this debate however, the organisation hopes to reach out to more youths outside the party.
| -CNA/ac |
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