Nowadays, not only can a Singapore citizen do his groceries shopping online without leaving the comfort of his four walls, he can also apply for a passport at the same time, pays his parking fine, renew his driving license, register for a primary school place for his children or even file his annual income tax. These are just some of the public services online available to the average citizen through e-Government. The term e-Government is synonymous for a modern, fast and efficient public service administration. It refers to the use of information technologies by the government bodies in providing services to the citizens, businesses and between other government organisations. Through the easy access of information through electronic means, citizens and businesses have better and easier access to information and improved interaction with the government. This in turn results in increased transparency, less corruption, greater convenience and lower administration cost. The traditional interaction between a citizen and a government agency usually took place in a government office. With e-Government, such interactions can now take place online through the use of internet. Furthermore, e-Government also provides a mean for closer interactions between the governing bodies and its citizens, for example, through chat with policy makers or online discussion about certain policies. As with e-Commerce, e-Government aims to bring a friendlier, more convenient and time-saving interaction between government and citizens (G2C), government and businesses (G2B), and also inter-agency relationships. [...]
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
1.1 Definition of e-Government
1.2 Overview
2. Singapore’s e-Government Action Plan
2.1 Government to Citizen (G2C)
2.2 Government to Business (G2B)
2.3 Government to Employees (G2E)
3. Infrastructure of e-Government
3.1 Services provided by PSi
3.1.1 Payment services
3.1.2 Authentication/security services
3.1.3 Common database services
3.2 Service-wider Infrastructure
4. Examples of e-Government
4.1 Example 1: eCitizen
4.2 Example 2: business.gov.sg
4.3 Example 3: Singpass – one password for e-Services
5. e-Government Action Plan II
6. Conclusion
Objectives and Themes
This paper examines the evolution and implementation of e-Government initiatives in Singapore, focusing on how information technologies are leveraged to transform public service delivery, improve efficiency, and enhance interactions between government bodies, citizens, and businesses.
- Strategic vision of the Singapore e-Government Action Plan.
- Analysis of G2C, G2B, and G2E service delivery models.
- Role of the Public Services Infrastructure (PSi) in supporting e-services.
- Practical application examples including eCitizen, business.gov.sg, and Singpass.
- Transition toward the objectives of the second e-Government Action Plan.
Excerpt from the Book
4.1 Example 1: eCitizen
eCitizen is an example of G2C e-Government. The web portal is first launched in 1999 as an initiative by the Ministry of Finance but managed and maintained by the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA). Designed to be a first-stop station for government services online, the portal’s navigation is organised with the need of the citizens and customers in mind. Navigating through the portal, individuals can find information and services in user-centric packages. Public services across different government agencies can be accessed from the portal. e-Citizen allows users to:
Search for and access a diversity of information from government services
Conduct a wider range of transactions online with government agencies
Services and information are organised into 16 towns which cater to various aspect in life – Art & Heritage, Business, Defence, Education, Elections, Employment, Family, Health, Housing, Law, Library, Recreation, Safety & Security, Sport, Transport and Travel.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: Defines e-Government as a modern, efficient administration tool and provides an overview of the shift from traditional office-based interactions to online services in Singapore.
2. Singapore’s e-Government Action Plan: Details the vision, budgetary commitment, and the four strategic thrusts developed in 2000 to guide Singapore’s digital transformation.
3. Infrastructure of e-Government: Describes the technical backbone, specifically the Public Services Infrastructure (PSi), which provides common modules for payments, authentication, and database sharing.
4. Examples of e-Government: Presents concrete case studies, including the eCitizen portal for citizens, business.gov.sg for enterprises, and the Singpass authentication system.
5. e-Government Action Plan II: Outlines the follow-up roadmap through 2006, aimed at fostering an "e-lifestyle" and creating a networked, integrated government.
6. Conclusion: Summarizes the success factors behind Singapore's e-Government strategy while noting that its unique national structure limits direct generalizability to other countries.
Keywords
e-Government, Singapore, G2C, G2B, G2E, eCitizen, business.gov.sg, Singpass, Public Services Infrastructure, PSi, Infocomm, electronic services, digital economy, public administration, networked government.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this paper?
The paper explores the development, strategic planning, and implementation of e-Government initiatives in Singapore, specifically focusing on the period between 2000 and 2004.
What are the primary themes covered?
The main themes include government strategic planning, infrastructure development (PSi), electronic service delivery to citizens and businesses, and the integration of these services into a cohesive digital framework.
What is the ultimate goal of the Singaporean e-Government plan?
The primary goal is to transform the public sector into a leading, efficient, and user-centric provider of electronic services that improves convenience and reduces costs for all stakeholders.
Which methodology does the author employ?
The author uses a descriptive case study approach, analyzing official government action plans, portal functionalities, and technological infrastructure frameworks to assess the state of e-Government in Singapore.
What does the main body of the text encompass?
The main body examines the specific strategic thrusts of the government, the technical infrastructure requirements, and detailed examples of web portals like eCitizen and business.gov.sg.
Which keywords best describe the work?
Key terms include e-Government, Singapore, G2C, G2B, G2E, eCitizen, Singpass, and Infocomm infrastructure.
What is "Singpass" and why is it important?
Singpass stands for Singapore Personal Access; it serves as a secure, common alphanumeric password system that acts as a single digital identity, allowing citizens to access various government services seamlessly.
How does the second Action Plan differ from the first?
The second Action Plan (2003–2006) builds on the foundation of the first, with a specific shift toward creating an "e-lifestyle" and fostering a networked, proactive government that encourages citizen feedback through online consultations.
What is the purpose of the eCitizen portal?
The portal serves as a "first-stop station" for citizens to find information and perform online transactions across multiple government agencies, organized into user-centric "towns" or life categories.
- Quote paper
- Eunice Lee (Author), 2004, e-Government in Singapore, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/39447
