By Goh Chin Lian

UNDERGRADUATE Neo Ru Bin used to think that public policymaking in Singapore took a top-down approach, with little input from people on the ground.

'I had the impression that it's the academically capable scholars making the policies, and always top-down,' said the final-year political science student at the National University of Singapore (NUS).

Miss Neo, 22, now thinks policymaking here is more consultative and complex. This is her perspective after taking part in the first public policy competition organised by the Public Service Division.

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