In the most random fashion, this popped into my mind:
Is there a lack of DIRECT communication
between the State and the Citizen?
YEAH YEAH YEAH...
I know how some view that the local TV/Radio stations are more or less State-influenced. I dunno about that.
But what I do know is that getting the local media to feature something from the State is not always as straightforward as ordering McDees Home Delivery.
Hence, I had been fantasizing about a Direct State-Citizen Platform. Just to remind everyone that this is potentially a State Initiative, let's give it an
acronym. =)))
'
DiSCiP' as in the front portion of 'DiSCiP-line'.
Ok, I know it's corny and probably doesn't make much sense, but I'm quite sure, by now, i.e. at this point of the blog entry, the acronym has been burnt in your Citizen mind.
HO HO HO...
Ok, back to the concept of
DiSCiP.
You know how there are some transactions which you HAVE to carry out with some parts of the State, regardless of choice?
Pay your taxes, check your CPF account, apply for HDB flat, check your car COE PARF, renew your dog licence, lodge a police report, register for NS, pay a fine etc.
You get the drift.
The State is in fact a Super Service Provider.
There are more transactions which you can/have to do with the Government, than you can do with, say, a bank.
Yet some banks provide you with a dedicated and exclusive channel to carry out transactions, make requests and put up queries.
In simple terms, I envisage
DiSCiP as an online platform, resembling an email account, which is dedicated
* to communications between the State and you.
* This means State can send email/virtual stuff to you, and vice versa, but you cannot use it to send to other Citizens.In other words,
DiSCiP is the nest which facilitates your virtual relationship with the State.
Now, because this platform requires your unique sign-on, e.g. maciam SINGPASS, it ensures some form of identification.
I say 'some form' because I'm sure some idiot will probably lose/misplace/accidentally sell (to Ah Long) his login id and password.
But if banks can do it, I don't see why such a system cannot be applied to the State-Citizen context.
With some form of identification comes more accountability, which in turn allows for, theoretically, more space for constructive feedback.
If you were the State, upon receiving 2 pieces of similar feedback/complaints, one with name and NRIC while the other is anonymous, which will you consider more seriously?
Barring all ego issues, it boils down to being practical about the work required. Enough said.
*pause for a moment*So far, the
DiSCiP has demonstrated 2 high potential advantages, i.e. (i) Convenience, and (ii) Increased Accessibility. =)))
With increased accessibility, the State can also reach out to you much faster, i.e. instead of relying only the local media.
E.g #1: Change in XYZ policy.
Whilst the State could still choose to unveil the policy via some media rah-rah launch (which the media would choose to feature on different airtime slots according to the importance of the announcing politician), she could also alert all citizens simultaneously via DiSCiP with all the details and in her preferred tone.
Going one step further, quick surveys could be conducted via DiSCiP during the draft stage of policies.
E.g. #2: In case of tremors, I want to know whether I ought to start panicking and run out of my apartment, or I ought to remain calm and just watch the fish tank vibrate. I wish I could subscribe to a mobile alert via DiSCiP, in the same manner I could subscribe to State-organised activities and be alerted via my mobile because I may not be near a TV or radio.
I know some of the abovementioned services are already available. My point is that the State ought to view itself as a single service provider and communicator. In this way, value can be extracted from the critical mass of compulsory and elective State-Citizen transactions. The volume of viewership DiSCiP will garner is going to be much more than all the existing government websites put together.
Throw in a 'State Cover Page' which provides daily highlights, and 'The Singaporean Calendar' covering major State events (ranging from National Day Parade, to Tree Planting Day, to Anti-Smoking Campaign launch, to Army Open House, to Singapore Public Service Recruitment Fair, to Public Consultation/Dialogue sessions... Anything).
The first step to State-Citizen Engagement is
the constant stream of accessible information
from parties involved.
Think about it.
About how powerful this platform can be for enhancing the State-Citizen relationship. The act of setting up a
DiSCiP is a clear signal that each citizen is an important subject to the State.
This same concept can also be extended to businesses, associations, interest groups etc. All these entities have to deal with the State at some point or another.
In other words, access to
DiSCiP by these entities is also a symbol of legitimacy.
*pause for a moment*This is not a daunting task.
The necessary public departments are already in existence. Just have to nudge their corporate plans a little for the next half a decade.
