PM Lee to public servants: 'Build trust, offer seamless service'

PM Lee to public servants: 'Build trust, offer seamless service'

SINGAPORE - As the Government makes strategic shifts in its policies, a major determinant of its success will be citizens' trust, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on Monday.

Speaking to public service leaders at their annual planning session, he called on them to work together and keep Singaporeans at the centre of what they do, while upholding the highest standards of integrity.

He listed several ways that public servants can help build trust with Singaporeans - they have to understand realities on the ground, operate seamlessly across agencies and with one another, and uphold the national interest.

Pointing to frontline officers' delivery of services, he said high standards in this area will help to enhance trust between citizens and the government.

It is important that public service organisations provide Singaporeans with a seamless service, as it can be frustrating for the public to deal with multiple agencies.

Mr Lee cited an example, of how a man had called the National Environment Agency (NEA) about a snake spotted near the Tanglin International Centre. He was asked several questions by the NEA officer who took the call. Was the snake in a public park? Was it moving towards the building or away from it?

The man wasn't sure because he said he was scared and had run away before making the call.

The reason for all the questions was that depending on the type of snake and where it was, different agencies may have to be alerted.

In the end, in a case like this, it may be a nongovernmental organisation such as Acres (Animal Concerns Research and Education Society) that may be alerted.

But now the public can call the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority for all animal-related issues.


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