INTERNET (Blocking access to web-sites of satanic cults)

Dr Lily Neo asked the Minister for Information and the Arts if his Ministry will consider blocking access to the web-sites of satanic cults on the Internet because they pose enormous potential harm to our young and the unwitting public.

The Minister for Information and the Arts (BG George Yong-Boon Yeo): The Internet has a large number of esoteric sites which cover subjects ranging from UFOs to Satanic cults. MITA and MHA monitor some of these sites like "Temple of the Beast".

These sites vary a great deal. Most have no mass impact at all. But should they denigrate religious beliefs, threaten religious harmony or incite hatred, we will take action to remove them. The Singapore Broadcasting Authority will work with the ISPs to block out sites that are clearly unsuitable for the young in the Family Access Network.

Singaporeans should refer dangerous sites to the SBA if they come across them. If such sites are created locally and break our laws, the relevant agencies will take action against the content creators in accordance with the law.