I refer to “Next 50 years exciting for young S’poreans: PM” article on asiaone. link
In the case of Briton Anton Casey whose insulting posts Minister Shanmugam considers “deeply offensive”, link PM Lee has blamed social media for “complicating already-sensitive relations” and was concerned the “pack of hounds dynamic online risks vicious over-escalation to any issue”.
It is strange that other much bigger issues such as the Little India riot was not mentioned. It’s as if irrational Singaporeans outnumber rational ones. PM Lee has chosen to cherry pick one single case concerning an expat to express his fears. The government is again hinting its intent to control social media.
But NTU undergraduates should have already known that those who contribute to online comments include the PAP government’s own Internet Brigade (IB). link Set up in 2007, PAP’s IB’s role is to go “into Internet forums and blogs to rebut anti-establishment views and putting up postingsanonymously”.
PM Lee should therefore not fear this “pack of hounds” because the PAP IB has been with this pack since 2007. Instead of embracing social media, the PAP feels threatened because, unlike the mainstream media, it is not the government’s mouthpiece. Netizens are also confused by the double standard of anonymity. The PAP is seen as lacking moral authority.
In the mainstream media, journalists are allowed to suka suka criticise and label Singaporeans. These journalists seem to be trying to outdo one another and had even cheekily labeled a Singaporean PMET as “pampered, mediocre, expensive, timid”. There are limits to citizens becoming punching bags and, over time, more have become distrustful of the state controlled media. To many, the articles are just a pack of lies.
Thousands of Singaporeans, including myself, question and criticise the government without the cover of anonymity. This is of no significance to PM Lee.
One faultline which he addressed is the huge “income gap”. Instead of a concrete solution, he dished out motherhood statements of what should have been in the real world using a Mandarin phrase. Exploitation of workers and a condescending attitude of bosses – these originate from policies and leaders who have never been exemplary. Citizens are led by our leaders and the solution is to walk the talk.
Although the “worry about job security, the costs of living,” was mentioned, he says that we are in a better position than the previous generation. Most ordinary citizens do not share the PM’s view because the previous generation was not enslaved to a bank for housing mortgages, cars were really affordable and a relatively good quality of life was evident. Perhaps the PM was referring to wealthy citizens?
Every year, about 10,000 PRs are leaving Singapore. Email to NPTD If we are doing much better, all these PRs must have made very unsound decisions.
Many problems faced by Singaporeans are caused by poor planning and shortsighted policies. This despite the economic situation aided by historically low interest rates.
Young Singaporeans are right to worry that they will have a tougher time than their parents. To claim otherwise is to ignore reality.
PM Lee’s “pack of hounds” speech seems to have underestimated the intelligence of NTU undergraduates. They are not from the pre internet age.
Phillip Ang
*The writer blogs at http://likedatosocanmeh.wordpress.com/