Stifling dissent in Singapore

On its way to the USA

[Reprinted from Issues & Views July 15, 2002]

To prove that its long arm extends everywhere in Singapore, even throughout cyberspace, the Singapore government is arresting and prosecuting citizens who criticize the government or its officials on websites or in newsgroups. Due to a very broad interpretation of law, almost any criticism against the government can be deemed "criminal defamation."

Government initiated libel suits, designed to stifle dissent and opposition, are common, and internet service providers are coerced to conduct remote searches of users' computers. A conviction for criminal defamation carries a maximum jail sentence of two years.

In recent cases, as reported by Channel News Asia, homes have been raided and computer hard disks confiscated from people suspected of being posters to particular newsgroups. Earlier this month, the home of the editor of the website "fateha.com" was raided and all his computer equipment seized. Another man, who is suspected of posting two articles that criticized government policies on the newsgroup "soc.culture.singapore," was victim of a morning police raid and is now under investigation for criminal defamation.

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