Concerned Singaporean says Indranee Rajah shouldn’t be the “spokesperson giving advice” on how to boost birth rate

Using examples from MLM seminars and investment pitches, he wrote that people are often persuaded when they hear success stories from individuals they perceive as similar to themselves.

He added that the same principle applies in other contexts, saying people are unlikely to respond positively to health or fitness advice from someone who does not appear to embody the results they are promoting.

Against this backdrop, Mr Ding questioned the Government’s decision to have Minister Indranee lead messaging around childbirth and parenthood, pointing out that she does not have children herself.

“But then, we are now seeing how the government is getting Singaporeans to have kids, [led] by a minister who [hasn’t] done it before,” he wrote.

According to Mr Ding, the issue is not necessarily with the quality or sincerity of the ideas being proposed.

“I can say Minister Indranee has lots of good ideas and proposals to encourage Singaporeans to have kids,” he said, adding that she also has “a team of MPs under her team contributing to ideas too.”

However, he argued that the public response shows many Singaporeans are struggling to connect with the messenger.

“Whatever advice she gives, no matter how well-intended, got lots of push back simply because people are saying directly/indirectly ‘if so good, then why haven’t you done it yourself’,” he wrote.

He urged the Minister, “Don’t be the spokesperson to give advice already. People are hearing, but not listening – same as how a person overweight and more unhealthy than you giving you advice how to work out and eat clean.”

Rather than having politicians front the campaign directly, Mr Ding suggested the Government rely more heavily on the experiences of ordinary parents and employers who have successfully navigated the challenges of raising children in Singapore.

Among his suggestions were inviting mothers who stepped away from their careers and later re-entered the workforce to share their experiences publicly, as well as showcasing families living on median incomes who are able to raise children while maintaining a reasonable quality of life.

He also proposed highlighting companies that actively support working mothers through flexible workplace policies, with employees themselves sharing why those measures have been effective.

“The message is the same, but because it’s shared by people who have done it, people are open to listen,” he wrote.

He concluded his post by saying, “People don’t follow ideas; they follow people who have proven those ideas work.”

Netizens responding to his post agreed with his take and urged the Government to rethink how it communicates its pro-family messaging.

One commenter said, “She’s capable, but she’s definitely the wrong person to chair this. She is not married and has no kids, which is already a NO-NO and can’t get credibility liao.

“Also, by having her chair this initiative, it’s giving a negative impression to the public that the government is not serious about this initiative. Of all people, why her?”

Another netizen added, “Reality is: there are trade-offs. To deny that is to be not honest with the population. I thought PAP was always straightforward with the populace?

“Anyway, there are good reasons why people cannot accept Indranee leading the workgroup. The issue is highly emotional and sensitive, and only those who have gone through it themselves have much credibility to lead the workgroup. It is not about solving just any technical issue.”