ID :
16334
Tue, 08/19/2008 - 09:18
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/16334
The shortlink copeid
SINGAPORE TO ALLOW MORE FREEDOM OF EXPRESION
SINGAPORE, Aug 19 (Bernama) -- Learning from the recent political experiences of many countries including Malaysia, Singapore has decided to remove some of the shackles that have restricted freedom of expression of its citizens.
Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said the government wanted to 'liberalise' the people in keeping up with the changing times and the advent ofInternet which had already penetrated Singapore society.
Speaking in a televised address in conjunction with Singapore's 43rd National Day Rally Monday night, Lee said for a start, the government might allow public demonstrations but at a pre-determined location at the Speakers' Corner in Hong Lim Park here, and the broadcast of political documentaries andfilms.
But he said issues on race, language and religion were still off limits because they were sensitive matters to multiracial Singapore and thegovernment did not want to put the country at risk.
Lee said advertisement on politics would also not be allowed as it was an emotive medium that could be easily used to stir public emotions and would notdepict the true political situation on the ground.
The prime minister said the government was also aware of the importance of the Internet and the positive and negative impact it could have on Singaporeans,80 per cent of whom were now wired to the broadband.
Taking Malaysia as an example, Lee said the Internet had become an activespace for information and engagement in Malaysia.
He said lively debates and serious contributions together with more doubtful stuff were logged on blogs, alternative news sites such as Malaysiakini, andchatrooms.
He said the importance of the Internet in Malaysia could be seen when Malaysian political personalities started to participate actively in cyberspace, with some joining it after leaving politics like former Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and some entering politics after being active incyberspace like Jeff Ooi.
He said that during the last Malaysian general election, mass of materials circulated through the blogs, short messaging service and YouTube and the publicwent into cyberspace to get what they could not get in mainstream media.
The opposition political parties campaigned widely in cyberspace, so too didBarisan Nasional although not to the same extent, Lee said.
However, he said the general election was not just about the new media, itwas about real-life politics.
He said the opposition raised many hot issues in the ceramah (public talks) such as the rising cost of living, poor public service delivery and perceivedinequalities in the government's policies.
But these issues were picked up in the new media, and amplified through viral distribution, he said, adding that the results of the elections showedthe power of the Internet.
The prime minister said the government had to find ways to allowSingaporeans to let off steam a little bit more, but safely.
He said by the next general election, five years would have passed but cyber years were like dog years, so five years in cyberspace were like 35 yearsin the real world.
Lee said Singapore must update the many rules to progressively liberalise and allow Singaporeans to participate more actively and flexibly in thedevelopment of Singapore.
Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said the government wanted to 'liberalise' the people in keeping up with the changing times and the advent ofInternet which had already penetrated Singapore society.
Speaking in a televised address in conjunction with Singapore's 43rd National Day Rally Monday night, Lee said for a start, the government might allow public demonstrations but at a pre-determined location at the Speakers' Corner in Hong Lim Park here, and the broadcast of political documentaries andfilms.
But he said issues on race, language and religion were still off limits because they were sensitive matters to multiracial Singapore and thegovernment did not want to put the country at risk.
Lee said advertisement on politics would also not be allowed as it was an emotive medium that could be easily used to stir public emotions and would notdepict the true political situation on the ground.
The prime minister said the government was also aware of the importance of the Internet and the positive and negative impact it could have on Singaporeans,80 per cent of whom were now wired to the broadband.
Taking Malaysia as an example, Lee said the Internet had become an activespace for information and engagement in Malaysia.
He said lively debates and serious contributions together with more doubtful stuff were logged on blogs, alternative news sites such as Malaysiakini, andchatrooms.
He said the importance of the Internet in Malaysia could be seen when Malaysian political personalities started to participate actively in cyberspace, with some joining it after leaving politics like former Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and some entering politics after being active incyberspace like Jeff Ooi.
He said that during the last Malaysian general election, mass of materials circulated through the blogs, short messaging service and YouTube and the publicwent into cyberspace to get what they could not get in mainstream media.
The opposition political parties campaigned widely in cyberspace, so too didBarisan Nasional although not to the same extent, Lee said.
However, he said the general election was not just about the new media, itwas about real-life politics.
He said the opposition raised many hot issues in the ceramah (public talks) such as the rising cost of living, poor public service delivery and perceivedinequalities in the government's policies.
But these issues were picked up in the new media, and amplified through viral distribution, he said, adding that the results of the elections showedthe power of the Internet.
The prime minister said the government had to find ways to allowSingaporeans to let off steam a little bit more, but safely.
He said by the next general election, five years would have passed but cyber years were like dog years, so five years in cyberspace were like 35 yearsin the real world.
Lee said Singapore must update the many rules to progressively liberalise and allow Singaporeans to participate more actively and flexibly in thedevelopment of Singapore.
