If one still remembered, 3 weeks before the last parliament was dissolved for the elections, the government banned the use of podcast and other relevant internet media during the 9 days of campaigning.

The official line was this:

1. To ensure responsible use of the internet during campaigning as the free-for all environment of the internet is open to abuse.

2. The government's view is that people can have diverse views, but should not hide behind the anonymity of the internet, to manipulate public opinion.

It was again stated clearly by the government that individual bloggers can discuss politics, but have to register with the Media Development Agency if they persistently promote political views and even when registered, they are not allowed to advertise for any political parties during the hustings - something only political parties, candidates and election agents are allowed to do only.

If this above regulation was to be forcefully enforced, many netizens, like the author himself, would have seen the authorities knocking on their doors, sharing a cup of coffee and toast at the icy-cold Cantonment Complex along New Bridge Road. It seems like all the netizens in the internet-sphere, other than the Singapore Democratic Party escaped unscathed.

What account for this phenomenon and its significance for the PAP ruling party?

The author strongly believes that more and more Singaporeans, especially the young(ages between 18 to 35) are becoming disillusioned with the arrogance, seemingly know-what-is-the-best-for-us attitude and more importantly, unfair politics; with regard to the GRC system, upgrading as a carrot and stick tactic, the political donations act and many more other issues that serve to undermine and disadvantage the opposition.

This phenomenon further erupted in a stream of hot lava and volcanic gas, after the arrogant and persistent media mistreatment of James Gomez, one of the Workers' Party candidate for Aljunied GRC. Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew went on and asked that James Gomez sue him for his words said. (It worth noting the extent of arrogance of the PAP, and their disregard for the intergrity for a fellow political opponent.)

Compare this kind of politics practised by a 1st world government to the Westminister form of electoral debate in Britain and we will get a glimpse of how 1st world the PAP government is.

Thus, it was of little wonder that netizens was forced into action and used whatever available resources they could get their hands on to voice out their respectively viewpoints, opinions, perspectives on various election issues and other related bread-and-butter issues and more importantly to address the biasness and unfair reporting of the local mainstream media during the hustings.

Of course, given the strength of the PAP, its past track records, past achievements and its party machinery, there should be no need to fear the words of a few netizens out to discredit the government and lower the standing of the PAP in the eyes of voters, especially first-time voters.

However, right now, the government is changing stance and are looking to review the parliamentary elections of 2001 and loosen up on the ban on podcasting and videoasting on the internet during elections. You might ask why ?


Ride this Net animal


Government to review media policies for next GE


This is a significance coup for the all netizens, bloggers and political activists in Singapore.

The author hereby put forward this:

1. The PAP government, having witnessed the marauding effect of the internet media during election 2006, is geniunely fearful that this might lead to a political-reawakening of Singaporeans, which have been consistently suppressed by the PAP's indifference to political education. This could very well in the future, break all boundaries and undermined its all encompassing hold on power.

2. Furthermore, the PAP government wants the internet media to grow and develop but at their own pace and discretion and within its sphere of control, so as to draw maximum political and social benefits for itself.

In a nutshell, that pot of water which is the political awareness of Singaporeans, is boiling and the emergence of political netizens serves as firewood/charcoal, threatening the overflow of that pot of water, which could extinguish the raging fire below. The PAP, on the hand, seeks to control the influx of firewood/charcoal into the fire so as to boil its own eggs in the water, but at the same time, keeping the lid in its rightful place.

Election 2006 could very well be a watershed in the development of politics in Singapore, with the rise of the internet media being the main perpetrator.