Despite the critics of the government dominate more than three quarters of the Internet discussions, Singapore continues to prosper by leaps and bounds.......

Despite the critics of the government dominate more than three quarters of the Internet discussions, Singapore continues to prosper by leaps and bounds.......


Saturday March 5, 2011

PAP enters the digital warfare

Insight Down South

By SEAH CHIANG NEE

Critics of the government dominate more than three quarters of the Internet discussions but now the ruling party – or at least its supporters - is beginning to fight back.

WITH the mainstream media overwhelmingly pro-government, the younger oppositionists had long been actively using the web as a means of communication and information.

Critics have dominated more than three quarters of the Internet discussions.

It now appears that the PAP – or at least its supporters – is beginning to fight back.

The start has, however, so far not been very effective, although not everyone is as tasteless as the personal attack on Sylvia Lim.

Actually, while the worldwide web often provides fast and useful information, it also has its dark corners.

PAP critics too, have also frequently posted rude or offensive personal attacks on government leaders.

What have these PAP supporters been posting?

Some examples (paraphrased): “Look at Libya! We really must be thankful that our leaders still care for us.”

Another told people to stop harping on the widening gap between rich and poor (the hottest election issue) but start “counting their blessings with what they have.”

Most chose to highlight an opposition in-fighting and a spate of pre-election resignations.

Widely respected opposition Member of Parliament Chiam See Tong was not spared.

“Can you vote for Chiam when he’s so old? How to go around checking whether his ward is clean?” the writer said. “You’ll end up paying his medical bills.”

At 76, Chiam is 11 years younger than Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew - two of the oldest serving politicians in Singapore.

The digital warfare is likely to intensify in the months ahead for a strong reason.

One-third of the voters are tech-savvy youths who are below 39 years old.

Cynical about the credibility of the tightly-regulated, pro-government press, many of them had for years been gravitating towards the Internet to post or read alternative viewpoints.

Two months ago, the authorities took action against popular website, The Online Citizen (TOC), by gazetting it as a “political association.”

This means that TOC will be subjected to a cap of S$5,000 (RM12,000) in accepting anonymous donations and banned from receiving funds from foreign donors.

It was also made to reveal its owners, journalists and anyone else associated.

As a response to the generation change, both the PAP and a handful of opposition challengers have been recruiting younger candidates.

One historical benchmark is marked by the emergence of Kenneth Jeyaratnam, the son of the late opposition leader JB Jeyaratnam, one of the most respected opposition leaders here.

He is likely to contest as leader of the new Reform Party.

People are not lost to the historical significance of his entry into politics.

It comes at a time when Singapore is speculating whether their ageing Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew – his late father’s long-time foe – will (or will not) announce his political exit.

Graduating with a Double First Honours in Economics in Queen’s College, Cambridge, Kenneth was born in 1959, the year the PAP began to govern Singapore (then under British rule).

He will make a credible election candidate, but winning a seat in 2011 is another matter.

At any rate, it is significant that his entry into Singapore politics coincides with Lee’s sunset years.

The two men – one 87, the other 52 – reflect the passing of the baton from the old to the young in almost every sphere of life in Singapore.

Many of the young voters are voting for the first time either because they have just reached 21 or had been deprived for many years because of electoral walkovers.

Some analysts believe the youth vote is the hardest for the PAP to win.

A post 2006 election survey by the Institute of Policy Studies showed that about half of those under 35 are categorised as swing-voters, who could be persuaded by either side.

About a third, clamours for more voices in Parliament.

A radio report quoted 21-year-old first time voter, Soh Yi Da, as saying he wanted to see a contest of ideas.

“We want to see more platforms where political parties are able to engage one another,” he added, not likely to be a regular feature of political life anytime soon.

At stake will be 87 seats (up from the present 84).

With public unhappiness mounting over the influx of foreigners and other unpopular issues, it could turn out to be the hottest election in years.

This could well erode PAP’s popular support (2006: 66.6% ), but a major PAP setback – let alone defeat – is being ruled out by everyone.