CRITICISM OF GOVERNMENT POLICY ON INTERNET

Assoc. Prof. Walter Woon asked the Minister for Information and the Arts whether the Government intends to take any action against persons who criticise Government policy on Internet and, if so, what action is contemplated.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Information and the Arts (Encik Mohamad Maidin B P M) (for the Minister for Information and the Arts): Mr Speaker, Sir, the Government receives feedback, comments and suggestions on its policies via various channels such as this House, the media, the Feedback Unit, the Institute of Policy Studies and the Service Improvement Unit. The public is free to use Internet as another channel to give its views on Government policies. The Singapore InfoMap launched earlier this year makes this very convenient.

Sir, as long as feedback, critical or otherwise, is constructive and no law of the land is broken, there is no reason for the Government to take action. Individuals should exercise responsibility when they participate in discussions on Internet just as in any other public forum. Those who engage in acts of defamation, libel, fraud or obscenity in Internet are of course liable to prosecution.

Internet is a new phenomenon. Some of our laws may not be adequate to deal with the legal problems in this new medium. This is a worldwide problem brought about by rapid advances in Information Technology. Internet will raise new and difficult legal issues in the areas of investigation, enforcement, evidence and prosecution. All over the world, new legal ground is being broken. For example, a Communications Decency Bill has been tabled in the US Senate to deal with pornography and obscene materials distributed through Internet, but it has not yet become law. Opponents argue that such a law will effectively kill Internet.

Sir, we are undertaking a comprehensive review of these issues. The Government has established an inter-Ministry committee, involving MITA, the Singapore Broadcasting Authority, the Telecommunication Authority of Singapore, the National Computer Board, the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Attorney-General's Chambers, to study them and to recommend changes to our law. However, in crafting appropriate legislation, we must ensure that we do not stunt the growth of Internet and other applications of Information Technology in Singapore.

Assoc. Prof. Walter Woon (Nominated Member): Sir, will the Parliamentary Secretary please confirm therefore that people are free to express their views on Internet without fear of retribution, unless they break the law, of course?

Encik Mohamad Maidin B P M: Yes, Sir.

Dr Lee Tsao Yuan (Nominated Member): Sir, does the Government intend to treat Internet like the press, specifically the written press?

Encik Mohamad Maidin B P M: Sir, as I have explained, this is a new medium. There is a committee now looking into various aspects of the new medium. We hope to come up with something to ensure that this new playground also ensures safety for those who are around and that they would not get hurt unnecessarily.

Dr Lee Tsao Yuan: Sir, perhaps I can be more specific. Suppose that the Catherine Lim's article, which I believe appeared in the Sunday Times, actually appeared on Internet, would the Government actually reply like it did?

Mr Speaker: Order. The question is out of order. It is hypothetical in nature.