AFTER reading yesterday's report, 'NMP candidates attacked online', I went online to check those comments. What I read sounded alarm bells in my head.
I will not seek to authenticate the charges filed by these people online, which I read on the Government's Reach portal. However, charges that Nominated MP Siew Kum Hong is pro-gay just because he supported the original members of the Association of Women for Action and Research (Aware) were immature.
The comments are emotionally charged and will inflame the public. They consist of words that seek to polarise society and mobilise the masses to support them. This reminded me of the racial riots in the 1960s, when the masses were mobilised based on emotional rumours. Why does the Reach portal allow such inflammatory postings to remain? I dread to think of the consequences should people be led to believe the charges by these so-called 'pro-Singapore, pro-family' posters.
The report highlighted 'astroturfing' - the creation of a fake grassroots movement - which the Government should note. I frequent several online forums and in most, I seldom encounter these 'pro-family' comments, and comments on social issues are usually civilised and polite. But in forums that are perceived to reach out to the masses, there are many rude and inflammatory comments.
Such postings may have persuaded the authorities that the online community is immature. But should they venture into other forums, they will realise that most Singaporeans are polite in cyberspace, and many of the so-called 'majority' views are from a very vocal minority.
From the viewpoint of my younger generation today, Singapore society is not that conservative, but 'astroturfing' may suggest that it is very conservative.
I urge restraint among Singaporeans. Judging someone's credibility based on his sexuality and stand on non-discrimination, is shallow.
We should assess these candidates' overall performance. They have a great desire to serve Singapore and should be allowed to do so without interference by false or emotionally charged comments online.
