Healthy Competition Amongst Town Councils

Today Newspaper 11/06/2010 article "Good, but can do better" has reference.

Few has known that though Hougang is one of the biggest town in Singapore, its maintenance is also the worst.

In a Town Council Management Report (TCMR) released yesterday by the Ministry of National Development, majority of the town councils received an above average assessment overall, but almost all were found to have more room for improvement.

Out of 16 town councils being inspected, 14 were evaluated to have achieved commendable cleanliness and maintenance. This evaluation was baased on inspections carried out over the six months by HDB inspectors, and data from town councils were also used.

As Ang Mo Kio-Yio Chu Kang Town Council had said, "The report gives us a feel of how we are performing in different areas in comparison to others".

Indeed, this report paves the way for more healthy competition amongst town councils - for better town councils to "defend their title", and for town councils who have room for improvement to realize their shortcomings, and strive for better excellence.

Personally, the idea is good, but can be better. Perhaps, the Ministry of National Development can do more reports on other areas, such as family bonding, unity amongst citizens, how much effort the town council has put into the welfare of the residents etc. so as to promote a more holistic competition.

However, in the midst of running the race, it is vitally important for the town councils to ensure that competition remains at a healthy level. Should unity and brotherhood be destroyed in the process of the race, the race would become a meaningless attempt to impress the inspectors.

A hint of bitterness can be observed in the reactions of various town councils. For example, Hougang Town Council, the council which scored the least, emailed MediaCorp to complain that Opposition town council like his, "never received any Government funds to improve and rejuvenate the estate" and as such , they were "in a disadvataged position compared to other PAP town councils".

While, there is nothing wrong at pointing out a shortcoming of the PAP, such complains should be made in private during governmental meetings etc. but not whined in the newspapers. After all, this is just a report; the honest resemblance one can think of Hougang Council's reaction is a 6 year old child whining that the game is not fair!

A hint of red can also be seen in Potong Pasir Town Council Chiam See Tong's reaction. He said that Potong Pasir Town Council is the "best town council in Singapore" and that the report was deliberately made to put Potong Pasir down.

The fact that there is already hints of bitterness reflects the competition between town councils, as well as between the PAP and opposition parties to becoming an unhealthy game.

As citizens of our country, even if we are Oppositions who are marginalized by the ruling party, we should constantly think of the bigger picture. Instead of solely basking in the joy of "winning" other town councils, I strongly feel that town councils should also take note not to damage unity in the process, and most importantly, constantly think of how they can help the other town councils achieve excellence as well, because the ultimate objective of everything is to make our nation be one step closer to success.