8/06/2013

The DRUMS of War

Many bloggers are still very uncomfortable with Eng Hen’s comment on the internet and the acronym DRUMS, meaning Distortions, Rumours, Untruths, Misinformation and Smears, that can spread far and wide in the internet. As this came closely after the new licensing laws on websites, it is natural for bloggers to feel that both are inter related and a concerted effort by the Govt to curb internet freedom. Some fear that this is like the Govt declaring war on bloggers and netizens.
 

One underlying assumption is that DRUMS could be spread in the internet to undermine the Govt, or aiming at discrediting the Govt, or be simply anti Govt. Another assumption is that this would be the works of Sinkies to a great extent. The other more dangerous and expected part is that DRUMS could come from external sources which would be more direct in many cases, or in disguise and subtle as the works of the Sinkies.
 

Paranoia is raising its head in some quarters. No doubt the internet has been pretty critical of the Govt in many issues recently. Without the internet, such issues would not have been blown up and many would either die a natural death through a wall of silence, or be simply dissipated over time. The internet is making a presence that makes governing that much more difficult than before. Every little hiccup or flaw in govt decisions or policies will be pasted on the internet wall, truth or untruth, half truth or exaggeration, for all to see.
 

This development has made the Govt feeling very uneasy and very uncomfortable. They are unable to adapt or get use to being in the spotlight for all the wrong things. Things will be so much nicer and running the city so much easier without the irritating noises coming from the internet.
 

With this kind of mindset, that the internet is NG or up to no good, and DRUMS could be the latest label of threats to the people and country and any perpetrator of DRUMS is likely to face the music. The internet has in a way been seen as a trouble maker, an enemy of the state, on the other side of the fence unlike the main media. They are more likely to create mischief and chaos that will undermine the Govt.
 

Is that true? Admittedly there have been many unhappy and disgruntled views, very critical and some even hostile to the Govt, posted in the internet. If one is to step back and ask a simple question, why are such views posted and what are the intent of the authors, one cannot miss the fact that they are genuine feedbacks to the Govt and demanding attention. They are not advocating rioting or an uprising to overthrow the Govt. Look at them positively, they are saying that the Govt can and still have time to tackle the issues and problems raised. They are not enemies of the Govt but concerned citizens, or citizens who are badly affected by bad policies.
 

Would the Govt embrace them, take the angry comments seriously and work on it? Or would the Govt simply ignore and dismiss them as nothing worth listening to, that they are voices of the enemies? Taking the first stand could lead to a narrowing of the differences and making policies more acceptable to the people. Taking the latter stand would only divide the people further from the Govt.
 

In a crisis situation, or when the country faces a common threat, it is likely that many critics would rally around the Govt as one people one nation, to deal with the crisis. But if the Govt is to take the critics as enemies from first base, then they will be enemies, real or imagined, or even fabricated or concocted.
 

Many netizens are concerned and responsible citizens. Period. Do not regard them as enemies of the Govt. The people who spoke out, who spent efforts to tell the Govt that things are wrong, or things are going wrong, are people who care for this country and its citizens. They are the real patriots, the unappreciated friends of the Govt but wrongly perceived as threats by the narrow minded and the unenlightened.
 

The sound of the DRUMS can be music but can also be noise depending on who is the drummer and who is the listener. No more branding or tagging please.

9 comments:

The said...

It takes a thief to catch a thief. The government is an expert in drumming. Examples:
1) Ponding instead of flooding
2) 50-year floods that occurs every other year
3) GST is a progressive tax
4) White Horse label is to ensure that the sons of elites will not get special treatment
5) Bar top dancing will lead to fights and deaths
6) Please add on.....

Continually
Uttering
Nonsensical
Truths

Anonymous said...

Minister Ng Eng Hen is drumming his message to intimidate and despise netizens.
He is blaming netizens for not only lacking in substance, he is also insinuating that netizens make up and fabricate stories and lies.
If Netizens, especially Bloggers, allow his allegations to stand, then there is no reason for them to remain in Cyberspace. Better to dig a deep burrow and stay there for good.

Anonymous said...

Today very difficult to tell truths from lies or lies from truths.

oldhorse42 said...

Minister Hen called the internet and social media DRUMS. His boss the PM called comments in social media astroturfing.One thing is for sure, our leaders do not like to see or hear unpleasant things in social media.
Another minister,Tan Chuan Jin asked Singaporeans who are not happy with the country try to improve things instead of running down the country.

young lee said...


Greetings to You,

Getting a legitimate loan have always been a huge problem To clients who have financial needs. The issue of credit and collateral are something that clients are always worried about when seeking a loan from a legitimate lender. But JING KOH LOAN FIRM. has made that difference in the lending industry. JING KOH LOAN FIRM.. has been accredited by the lender’s council to give out loans to local and international clients at 3% rate . We have been given the privilege to meet your financial needs. The issue of credit shouldn’t stop you from getting the loan that you need.

Our Services Include the Following:-
*Investors Loans
*Debt Consolidation
*Second Mortgage
*Business Loans
*Personal Loans
*International Loans
* Christmas Loan

No social security and no credit check, 100% Guarantee. All you have to do is let us know exactly what you want and we will surely make your dream come true. JING KOH LOAN FIRM. says YES when your banks say NO. Lastly, we fund small scale loan firm, intermediaries, small scale financial institutions for we have unlimited capital. For further details to go about procuring a loan from: Kindly respond immediately to this email: jingkohloanfirm@yahoo.com.sg

young lee said...


Gets good generous money lending service today that is generally reliable,safe ,filtered by International Loan Agency and also Tested and Trusted that will give out loan for Any purposes, if you are really in need of a loan, just let me know the amount you need as a loan, and contact me via email: address (jingkohloanfirm@yahoo.com.sg (OR) jingkohloancompany.sg@gmail.com) For the plan of the loan processing and transfer to be spelled out.We issue of loan despite your condition and low credit score as our loan is also equivalent to issuing credit card as well.
If you are faced with stress in the acquisition of a loan that make you .

Have sleepless night? Or you have been disappointed by your bank? Did you need a personal loan to secure a home, car and evaluate the finances?

Contact name: Mr.Jing Koh, for his service is strictly for workers/those
that do day to day work at least 24 hours and students charity.

Note: We offer only Commercial /Small Business Administrative loans(SBA),
Personal /Residential and Mortgage loan at 3% interest; apply for a Minimum
of $10.000.00 .....$500.000 00 to a Maximum of $30,000,000.00. Interested applicants should please
contact Us via email: jingkohloanfirm@yahoo.com.sg (OR) jingkohloancompany.sg@gmail.com


Try and see your self, for our wonderful services that does not exceed 2
Working days for loan processing and just only three (3 )hours of loan
Transfer via bank/check/western; as the whole process is very easy!

Upon your interested response you would be required to send down the following
information’s:
======================================…
FULL NAME:
RESIDENT ADDRESS:
COUNTRY:
TEL:
LOAN AMOUNT AND:
DURATION:
CELL/MOBILE PHONE:

=====================================

young lee said...

Hello, Sir/Madam

Thanks for contacting Jing Koh Assurance Loan Company Plc for your loan, Before we Proceed, i will like to give you a brief history of the Company.

Jing Koh Assurance Loan Company plc is located at Accra Ghana#17 Crawford Street, W1, Westwood\'s Liverpool. England Branch, This company came into existence since 1962 and was giving out mini loan such as medical care loan, personal loan, e.t.c in 1962, Jing Koh Assurance went into stock exchange Market to sell share to those who want to be partners in the company, as a registered company to give out loan to all in England.

In 1962 Jing Koh Assurance Loan Company Plc was registered by the National Insurance Co-operation of Company and Allied of Great Britain, to give out loan World wide, Since 1962 Jing Koh Assurance Loan Company have been noted as the Giant in Capital/Investment Loan, Business Loan, Personal Loan, Medical Care Loan, Mortgage Loan e.t.c.

We give out loan to all in need at a negotiable interest rate as low as 3% annual for any amount Between $6,000.00 USD to $500,000 USD and Above for $5,000,000.00 USD,3% interest rate. Country of origin is not a barrier to our loan service, provide you are not indicted by any court of justice,Accreditation/Registed company.

For further enquirers/assistance do contact us 24 hours daily You Con Also Email.Us With This jingkohloanfirm@yahoo.com.sg (OR) jingkohloancompany.sg@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Good day,
Interested parties should contact me via email:
Name of creditor: Mr. Goldsmith:
Lender E -mail: goldsmithloancompany24@gmail.com
We offer private, commercial and personal loans with very minimal annual
interest rate as low as 3% for 1 year to 50 years repayment duration period
to all parts of the world. We give out loans from $ 5,000.00 $
100,000,000.00.
Our loans are well insured for maximum security is our priority, you lose
sleep at night worrying how to get a legit loan lender? You bite your nails
to the quick? Instead of beating yourself, contact Mr. Goldsmith credit
agency today (Loan Services) Now, Loan specialists who help stop Bad Credit
History, to discover the winning solution that is our mission.
Interested parties should contact me via email:
Name of creditor: Mr. Goldsmith
Lender E -mail: goldsmithloancompany24@gmail.com
Regards,
Mr. Goldsmith.

Unknown said...


RAMOND SCOTT FINANCIAL SERVICES.

Ramond Scott Financial Services is a Register / Accredited Financial Company

Which Provides a high standard of financial (LOAN) services to private and

corporate clients. Do you need funds as investors? Are you in financial mess? Do

you need a loan? We offer loan from the range of $5,000 to $50,000,000 (USD,

EUR, GBP) OR EQUIVALENT IN OTHER CURRENCIES. We offer loan at an annual

basic interest rate of 3% from a duration of 1 to 35 years to clients serious and

trustworthy! Clients are require to pay back our loan repayment by monthly

installment after 6 months of receiving his / her loan funds. Interested borrower

is advice to forward request to us via e-mail: ramondscottloanfirm@gmail.com