 As society matures , the Singapore Government has taken greater cognizance of educated and informed Singaporeans who place greater value on their rights of expression and call for a less restrictive culture . In 2004 , Lee Hsien Loong , then Deputy Prime Minister , expressed how the Government would be " increasingly guided by the consensus of views in the community with regards to morality and decency issues " in a bid to " pull back from being all things to all citizens " . However , he emphasized the caveat of " opening up more choices for citizens , without imposing on the whole of society " . Civic participation may be engaged through debates on policies and national issues , but criticism which " scores political points and undermines the government 's standing , whether or not this is intended " will not be treated lightly . When the opposition criticizes an action or policy , the Government " necessarily has to rebut or even demolish them , so not to lose its moral authority " . 
