Singapore police sends veiled threat to anonymous
netizens posting on the internet
12 Feb 2010
Written by Our Correspondent
Embarrassed by its latest flip-flop in letting the three
Singapore Polytechnic students off with only a caution for posting
racist remarks on Facebook, the Singapore police now sends a veiled
threat to anonymous netizens posting on the internet:
In a brief statement released to the press yesterday, it
said:
“The three boys have since apologised for their actions and the
offensive online page and forum removed. Police would like to
remind the public that it takes a serious view of acts that can
threaten the social harmony in Singapore. This includes those who
do so hiding behind a shroud of anonymity afforded by the
Internet.”
The three were arrested almost immediately following a police
report lodged against them by a National Serviceman Mr
Prhabagaran who has said that he did not want to see them
jailed.
In the aftermath of the arrests which sent
shockwaves across cyberspace, the Commander of Bedok
Police Division and Deputy Assistant Commissioner of Police Teo
Chun Ching said:
“Police take a very stern view of acts that could threaten
the social harmony in Singapore. The Internet may be a convenient
medium to express one’s views but members of the public should bear
in mind that they are no less accountable for their actions
online.”
[Source: Straits Times, 4 February 2010]
However, when police reports were lodged against Lighthouse
Evangelism Senior Pastor Rony Tan for making disparaging remarks
about Buddhism and Taoism a week later, the police did not arrest
him as what they did to the three Chinese youths.
Instead, he was hauled up for questioning by the ISD and let off
with a slap on the wrist after he apologized to representatives
from the Buddhist and Taoist faiths.
With due respect to ACP
Teo, the greatest threat to social harmony in Singapore
does not come from
anonymous netizens who have little credibility or influence,
but from religious
leaders like Pastor Tan who commands a loyal
following.
It is religious leaders who should
bear in mind the fact that they are no less accountable for their
actions though they are well-established leaders in their
respective communities.
In fact, they should be held on to a
higher standard precisely because they are in a position of
authority to influence others.
The racist remarks made by
the three Chinese youths have little impact on the rest of
Singapore compared to the outrage triggered by Pastor Tan’s words:
who is a greater threat to social harmony in
Singapore?
The Singapore police should not pick on “small fries” like
anonymous netizens which will make them appear no better than good
for nothing bullies. They should target the real culprits who are
generating social tension and conflicts in Singapore with their
irresponsible, divisive and offensive remarks.
The “release” of the three youths is nothing more than
a political move to appease angry Singaporeans and
doesn’t change the fact that Pastor Rony Tan was spared the
punishment he deserved under the law because:
“A well-established Christian leader being charged under
the Sedition Act would send shockwaves through the Christian
community and put the community under siege.”
[Source: Straits Times, 12 February 2010]
Rony Tan is not first, and certainly not the last to shoot his
mouth off. There will be plenty of others! I understand that there
is a strong subliminal disapproval of person or persons of no
reason than other than you are not of their religion, come to you
and denigrate and berate you. These people comes in many sizes and
ages, particularly the newly reborned ones. Strange people and
definitely not socially acceptable!
If you feel so strongly, you may alert the authorities to any
religious incitement, if possible with the same kind of
documentation as Rony Tan!
This will allow the authorities to more efficiently discharge
their duties!
