Youth here not politically apathetic, says Teo Ser Luck
_Singapore_|_Updated today at 06:00 AM
MR TEO Ser Luck lurks incognito on online forums from time to time, engaging young people in discussions for a sense of where they stand on issues.
The Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Community Development, Youth and Sports, and Transport, who uses nicknames like netizens do, said he has been getting feedback on policies and current affairs. And he is certain these viewpoints are honest.
'Sometimes, if you use your name, they may not tell you the truth,' said Mr Teo, who also trawls other sites; on Facebook, for example, he uses his own name.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the launch of the revamped youth portal youth.sg yesterday, the MP for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC said that contrary to popular belief, youth here are not politically apathetic: 'I think our youth are quite well-informed. They are willing to express their views, but you need to give them space, and they use Internet space.'
Referring to the storm of criticism directed at Ms Tin Pei Ling, who at 27 is the youngest among the People's Action Party's slate of candidates for the coming general election, he said: 'Look at the reaction towards her. Even if it's negative, a lot of it has come in, so look at it positively - she's drawing interest.'
The revamped youth portal, launched yesterday with a new look and features on youth culture, lifestyle and the community, aims to be a space to engage youth. It debuted in 2006 with the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports' support, as a space for youth to exchange views on issues affecting them.
CAROLYN QUEK
Read the full story in Monday's edition of The Straits Times.
_Singapore_|_Updated today at 06:00 AM
MR TEO Ser Luck lurks incognito on online forums from time to time, engaging young people in discussions for a sense of where they stand on issues.
The Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Community Development, Youth and Sports, and Transport, who uses nicknames like netizens do, said he has been getting feedback on policies and current affairs. And he is certain these viewpoints are honest.
'Sometimes, if you use your name, they may not tell you the truth,' said Mr Teo, who also trawls other sites; on Facebook, for example, he uses his own name.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the launch of the revamped youth portal youth.sg yesterday, the MP for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC said that contrary to popular belief, youth here are not politically apathetic: 'I think our youth are quite well-informed. They are willing to express their views, but you need to give them space, and they use Internet space.'
Referring to the storm of criticism directed at Ms Tin Pei Ling, who at 27 is the youngest among the People's Action Party's slate of candidates for the coming general election, he said: 'Look at the reaction towards her. Even if it's negative, a lot of it has come in, so look at it positively - she's drawing interest.'
The revamped youth portal, launched yesterday with a new look and features on youth culture, lifestyle and the community, aims to be a space to engage youth. It debuted in 2006 with the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports' support, as a space for youth to exchange views on issues affecting them.
CAROLYN QUEK
Read the full story in Monday's edition of The Straits Times.
