|
|
|
SDP
calls on the PAP to identify itself on the Internet and
challenges it to an online debate
05
Feb 07
Mr Ng Eng Hen
Minister for Manpower and
Chairman, PAP New Media Committee
Dear Sir,
It
is with much pleasure that the Singapore Democrats learn of the
PAP's admission that its members have been actively rebutting its
critics, albeit anonymously, on the Internet.
We are
disturbed, however, that you choose to do so using pseudonyms
thus avoiding identifying yourselves as members of the ruling
party.
This is odd given the Government's claims that its
policies and the way it runs the country is well-supported by the
people of Singapore. One would think that under such
circumstances, you would want to proclaim your views like a
shining beacon upon a (cyber) mountaintop.
Instead you
choose to engage netizens under a cloak of anonymity which is,
frankly, unbefitting of a ruling party that has been in power for
close to half a century.
It also seems a trifle
hypocritical given the fact that years ago, the Government
insisted that writers to forum pages in the newspapers not
conceal their identities and use their real names but now choose
to hide behind nicknames when the shoe is on the other
foot.
Worse, didn't Mrs K Bhavani from the Ministry of
Information, Communications and the Arts, challenge Mr Lee Kin
Mun over the Mr Brown affair last year to "come out from
behind his pseudonym to defend his views openly"? You see,
Mr Ng, here at the SDP we would like to think that what is good
for the goose is good for the gander.
Perhaps, the PAP is
afraid of being criticized by Singaporeans if it identifies
itself to Internet users. In which case, we say: "Welcome to
the democratic world of free speech!" This is where the
ruled are not, and cannot be, bullied into silence and, worse,
their silence is not distorted into support for the PAP and its
policies.
Since you have been hanging around on the
Internet, you must know that the Singapore Democrats have
participated in online forums, in particular the Sammyboy
Coffeeshop. A few of my colleagues and I have posted our views,
answered questions, and, yes, responded to criticisms from our
fellow Singaporeans in our real names and affiliations.
We
did this because we believe that political parties aspiring to
governing this country must subject themselves to questions and
criticisms from the people. Debates must be conducted freely and
openly, and the people given the means to question and challenge
policies that affect them and their loved ones.
It is the
only means where the rulers are held accountable and compelled to
govern in the interest of the masses, not just the rich and
powerful. It is the surest way that a thinking and mature society
can be developed, one that will make our society more competitive
and stable. It is, in short, the best thing that can happen for
Singapore and its future.
In this regard, we, the
Singapore Democrats, would like to engage you and your colleagues
in the Government to a debate on the Internet. Since you are
already in cyberspace, it wouldn't take too much to organise
yourselves for an online debate.
The only reason that you
would turn down this invitation, or simply ignore it, is that the
Internet, which you don't control, is a medium that allows for
genuine exchange of views while the mass media, which you do,
censor your opponent's views.
But if the inability to
suppress your opponent's right to speak and counter-argue is what
prevents the PAP from debating the SDP online, then I must say
that your effort to persuade netizens of your views, even if
carried out anonymously, is doomed.
The SDP is happy to
discuss the format and procedures by which such a debate takes
place. In fact, we would propose an online, realtime
video-conference debate where representatives of the PAP and the
SDP engage each other, and invite Singaporeans to participate and
judge the exchange.
We hope you will welcome this
initiative and make your presence on the Internet less
surreptitious. We look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Chee Soon
Juan
Secretary-General
Singapore Democratic Party
|
|
