Reaching everyone for active citizenry@ home, or REACH, Singapore Government’s Engagement Platform, has revealed that the amount of feedback it receives from citizens has risen significantly in 2011. 

After the General Election in May, the average monthly inputs REACH receives has increased from 153 to 259.

And Between January and November 2011, the unit received over 45,000 inputs, up by 53 per cent from 29,450 in the same period in 2010.

When Government Feedback Unit was first restructured in 2006, it received 9400 pieces of feedback; and this year’s figure is five times higher than that.

REACH’s chairman Dr Amy Khor said that the number and the range of discussions signify the citizenry’s increasing demand to have a say in policy making.

She said the phenomenon bodes well for the unit’s mission of promoting an active citizenry, adding that moving forwards, REACH will intensify its engagement with citizens both on and off line.

Such efforts will include the development of mobile applications as a new engagement platform and more talk sessions with students. The government will also make better efforts to address the key concerns of citizens, including transport, housing, immigration and political reform.