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http://www.asiaone.com/A1MEDIA/news/01Jan12/images/20120116.085405_tan.jpg[img]
Mr Tan Chuan-Jin carrying a bag of rice to be distributed to residents in Chai Chee yesterday.
By Samantha Boh
my paper
Monday, Jan 16, 2012
The key to engaging people online is to be yourself, said Minister of State Tan Chuan-Jin, one of several politicians who made the news recently for his effective use of social media to engage constituents.
Responding to a question yesterday about how he managed his online persona as a public figure, Mr Tan said it would be "awkward" to affect a different persona online.
"You are who you are, and you just have to learn to be comfortable with that in the public light. "I say what I want to say, but of course you have to be more careful," he said on the sidelines of a community event yesterday.
In a my paper article published last Thursday, Mr Tan was cited as a politician who was savvy in his use of social media.
The Minister of State for National Development and Manpower makes Facebook updates almost daily, sharing his thoughts on social issues as well as his experiences on the ground in online posts.
He also uses Facebook to rally people to causes in the community.
While social media is useful for reaching out to more people, he feels that, eventually, one has to engage people face-to-face.
"The main thing is really to step forward," he said, appealing to constituents to support their community efforts.
Mr Tan, an MP for Marine Parade GRC, noted that many more residents have been coming forward to help the needy in his constituency of Kembangan-Chai Chee.
Yesterday's rice-distribution cum spring-cleaning project was one example.
An outreach programme to help the old and needy, it saw over 300 residents come forward to offer their help, carrying 5kg bags of rice to needy households.
During the event, volunteers also interviewed the residents of each unit visited, noting their concerns and needs.
Mr Tan said understanding the needs of residents is also crucial, and "almost as important as the actual outreach to the needy".
He hopes the information gathered from residents would help identify problem areas, which can then be targeted in future community projects.
Mr Tan Chuan-Jin carrying a bag of rice to be distributed to residents in Chai Chee yesterday.
By Samantha Boh
my paper
Monday, Jan 16, 2012
The key to engaging people online is to be yourself, said Minister of State Tan Chuan-Jin, one of several politicians who made the news recently for his effective use of social media to engage constituents.
Responding to a question yesterday about how he managed his online persona as a public figure, Mr Tan said it would be "awkward" to affect a different persona online.
"You are who you are, and you just have to learn to be comfortable with that in the public light. "I say what I want to say, but of course you have to be more careful," he said on the sidelines of a community event yesterday.
In a my paper article published last Thursday, Mr Tan was cited as a politician who was savvy in his use of social media.
The Minister of State for National Development and Manpower makes Facebook updates almost daily, sharing his thoughts on social issues as well as his experiences on the ground in online posts.
He also uses Facebook to rally people to causes in the community.
While social media is useful for reaching out to more people, he feels that, eventually, one has to engage people face-to-face.
"The main thing is really to step forward," he said, appealing to constituents to support their community efforts.
Mr Tan, an MP for Marine Parade GRC, noted that many more residents have been coming forward to help the needy in his constituency of Kembangan-Chai Chee.
Yesterday's rice-distribution cum spring-cleaning project was one example.
An outreach programme to help the old and needy, it saw over 300 residents come forward to offer their help, carrying 5kg bags of rice to needy households.
During the event, volunteers also interviewed the residents of each unit visited, noting their concerns and needs.
Mr Tan said understanding the needs of residents is also crucial, and "almost as important as the actual outreach to the needy".
He hopes the information gathered from residents would help identify problem areas, which can then be targeted in future community projects.
