PM Wong: Unhappiness & frustrations about the government - even if they are with

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Unhappiness and frustrations about the government - even if they are without "logic and rationality" - is a reality everywhere, not just in Singapore, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Tuesday (Jan 21).

Speaking at a dialogue session at the University Cultural Centre in NUS, he added that the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) will try to find solutions to Singaporeans' concerns - even if there are "no easy answers".

"We explain to you what the situation is to the best of our abilities, and then we find ways to move forward as a country," said PM Wong to the nearly 900 students across various education institutions.

He was responding to a question from a student participant on who had asked: "Do you agree with criticisms of PAP?"

Wong addressed a wide range of topics at the dialogue, including the affordability of public housing, cryptocurrency, and same-sex marriage.

Moderated by NUS' vice-provost of student life Leong Ching, the session took a light-hearted tone when another student probed the prime minister about some of the criticisms he had heard about the ruling PAP government.

"There are many. I mean, you just need to go online," replied PM Wong, causing laughter from the audience.

The prime minister said that while there is much to be grateful for in Singapore, the government does not assume that everything is perfect and they "know everything".

"I think we should have a balance. Be grateful first of all that in Singapore, we have many things that we can be appreciative of - healthcare, retirement, public housing," added PM Wong.

"But does it mean that we therefore become complacent and assume everything is okay? There are genuine concerns around costs, around affordability, we understand."

Organised by government feedback unit Reach and Varsity Voices, a student-led university initiative, the 90-minute dialogue session saw long lines of students who wanted to ask PM Wong questions.

It was held under Chatham House rules, which allow for reporting of what was said but not who said it to encourage an open and inclusive dialogue.

https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/do-you-agree-criticisms-pap-pm-wong-responds-youth-dialogue

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Are you grateful 3rm reaching 1m?

[Arctic]

As usual, deaf frogs