The Internet has made possible the rapid spread of fear in a crisis, said Deputy Prime Minister and Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng. But he said bloggers and website moderators can help ease public concerns should a terrorist attack occur.
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So now WKS is commanding website moderators to follow his orders?
“The Internet has made possible the rapid spread of fear in a crisis, said Deputy Prime Minister and Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng.”
Is this statement really believable?
If Straits Times is the government’s tool for spreading and containing fear, why would anyone from the internet community want to help?
WKS is either trying to take credit for the online community’s rationality or trying too hard to make it seems as if he has any control over online content.
he could be the DPM in Singapore but i am sure bloggers and moderators wont give a damn.
Curiously… whose fears is he refering to??
If you read between the lines, the CNA article actually says all grassroot network and their associated media groups in Singapore must be sub-conjugated under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
What he said he is very true. I said that before as well.
Take heed and prepare to help in a crisis…..no more fun postings then.
He shd go after limping terrorists and fake monks first. Do his job properly, restore some confidence. No use talking so much crap. Anybody who is paid remotely close to his pay can say the same thing.
Bloggers will only post what they are seeing and what they think. How the public think is a totally different issue.
If there’s a terrorist attack, I’m very sure there will be lots of pictures of people in distress panicking. Just look at the New York 911. People will be afraid.
On the other hand, if it’s the steam pipe explosion (new york), people may think it’s a terrorists attack but it’s not. Bloggers will be first to write about it. People will then know the truth.
It really depends on the situation.
One thing for sure, the Internet can get pretty real if it wants to.
Get your guys at the Home Ministry to do their jobs well…then there won’t be a chance for a terrorist act…..
WKS trying to make himself important….with new media….he knows his days are numbered….
tick tock tick tock….time is running out fast…instead of speaking out here, get the job done first…
where is mas salamat….
Hi Fellow Singaporeans;
it is understandable that Wong Kan Seng does not have the trust of the people, having failed to hold himself responsible for Mas Selamat and many other unfortunate events, however, i think he is being badly misread here.
He is, i believe, sincerely acknowledging the Fact that the Internet and Bloggers are a potent force and are consequential to the survival of this society. For once, the people do have a tool the Leadership has to reckon with and Wong Kan Seng is trying to cajole the folks to be on their(leaders) sides.
It will be difficult unless the Leaders are willing to work together with the People
stop enriching themselves and respect Citizens’ Rights and dignities. Hope he understands the Wishes of the People.
patriot
then how about sms’es … they can spread like wildfire too…..
for the last 20 years, arent we put in fear that voting the opposition will have dire consequences …….
Oh sure, before you utter anymore trash, mind telling us where is mas selamat now ??
#13 patriot,
“t is understandable that Wong Kan Seng does not have the trust of the people, having failed to hold himself responsible for Mas Selamat and many other unfortunate events”
Of coz he has lost ALL credibility and whatever he says now or in the future will have little significance until either he admits his incompetency, quit his job or mas fellow is apprehended. Till then, good luck to him.
@ #16. DARN right you’ve got it. someone should just question WKS that impromptu and see how he handles it =.=! bwahahahhaa
“But he said bloggers and website moderators can help ease public concerns should a terrorist attack occur.”
What nonsense this guy talking about ?? If not for his incompetency in the first place, we wouldn’t be in a situation to be fearful of a plausible terrorist attack !
It’s been more than a year and still no news on whereabouts of mas selamat. I cannot find any kinder word than incompetency to describe your ability. It is only natural for you to step down graciously and let some other capable guy/woman to take over your job.
Being reminded of our social responsibility is a good precedent.
WKS.. go capture Mas Selamat (or at least find out where he is) before you speak again.
My reading is the establishment has not made up its mind how to deal with the internet community.
They seem to be alternating wildly between berating on-line sites as ‘anti-government’ and threatening to ‘regulate’ them ie to clamp down on them on the one hand and on the other pretending they can be allies in a crisis and work together with them in times of need.
A wolf in sheep’s clothing is still a wolf.