The Online Citizen’s reply and our stand

On February 6, we published a comment left by a netizen named “Jasper” on Singabloodypore alleging that The Online Citizen’s Chief Editor Mr Choo Zheng Xi was being paid by a PAP MP to write articles on TOC.

 TOC has threatened to take legal action against Jasper and us for publishing these comments and have demanded an apology and retraction of statements made.

As requested by Mr Andrew Loh Hong Puey of WP and TOC, we are publishing their replies and Jasper’s apology on this blog. However we do not feel an apology from us is necessary as we are not the ones who made the allegations in the first place.

Mr Choo Zheng Xi’s reply:

Jasper, Wayangparty,This is completely false, and really you have absolutely no credibility hiding behind pseudonyms making these completely incorrect assertions.Anyone with a modicum with common sense would see the stupidity of a PAP MP paying people to be critical of the government.

Absolute rubbish.

Posted by: Choo Zheng Xi | 06/02/2008

 

Mr Andrew Loh’s reply:

Dear Jasper,You said the following, with regards to Remy (or Zheng Xi),“this toc chief is paid by a pap mp out in the west of singapore to write. PAID BY PAP TO WRITE. and paid quite well so its said. “

Please tell us the name of the PAP MP whom you alleged paid Zheng Xi to write.

You also said:

“well the only definite thing is, you’ll see more written on this constituency and of course, it’ll be glowing.”

Please identify and name the articles on TOC about “this constituency” which you insinuated Zheng Xi was paid to write about. Also, please tell us the name of “this constituency” so that everyone will keep an eye out to see if TOC will write “glowingly” about it, if indeed TOC writes about it.

I think if what you say are based on facts, you should not be afraid to name the PAP MP. Otherwise, I think we can all dismiss your allegations as baseless, malicious and hogwash.

Thanks.

Regards,
Andrew Loh
Co-editor, theonlinecitizen

Posted by: Andrew Loh | 06/02/2008

 

Jasper’s reply:

My allegations about TOC’s Editors being PAID BY PAP TO WRITE were based on hearsay without any concrete evidence.I now retract my earlier comments and offer my unreserved apologies to TOC’s Editors for any damages and loss of reputation they suffered as a result.

Posted by: Jasper | 07/02/2008

Our note: Till now, Jasper has not replied to us and we are unable to prove that he is responsible for the comments made on Singabloodypore. 

Our Stand:

1. Both Remy Choo and Andrew Loh have denied vehemently of being paid by a PAP MP to write articles on TOC and while we would like to give them the benefit of the doubt, at this moment in time, there is a lack of sufficient evidence to prove or disprove Jasper’s allegations.

2. Jasper claimed that he made those allegations based on hearsay. The editors of TOC have challenged Jasper to substantiate his claims by naming the PAP MP. We felt that as an individual, Jasper lacked both the time and resources to defend himself and it is unfair to resort to such “Durai-style” bullying tactics in order to silence their detractors.

3. There is no doubt that The Online Citizen has intimate links with the establishment. To quote from the TOC blog: Its Chief Editor Mr Remy Choo Zheng Xi is an elected member of the Buona Vista CCMC which makes him a grassroots leader. Its Co-editor Mr Ephraim Loy is a YPAP member and Chairman of the Bedok-Punggol Reservoir CCMC. George Yeo writes on his blog frequently. Two senior writers had links with the establishment in the past – Mr Yeo Toon Joo is an ex-ST journalist and Mr Gerald Giam hailed formerly from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Even its Founder Mr Andrew Loh himself was a PAP member / supporter before he joined WP 2 years ago.

Based on the background of the members on board its Editorial team and its all too familar PAPsque style of employing hardball tactics with veiled threats of legal action to silence their critics, we continued to harbor serious reservations about The Online Citizen’s agenda. It is far more convincing and easier to spread one’s intended propaganda through prism of an “anti-establishment” blog than through online media operated by the establishment like STOMP. We leave readers to assess for themselves if TOC is as “non-partisan” as it claimed or is it being used as a front to manage cyberspace dissent by “diverting” opposition supporters to a “moderate” blog instead of “radical” ones like Sgpolitics.net, The Singapore Rebel and The Singapore Dissident which government bashing are allowed to go completely free and unedited.