Furore in cyberspace over Choo Zheng Xi’s links with PAP

After we pressurized TOC’s Chief Editor Mr Choo Zheng Xi into making a confession that he was being paid by PAP MP Madam Ho Geok Choo $500 monthly to write her Parliamentary speeches and constituency newsletter, a furore erupted in cyberspace over his “part-time job” with many netizens lambasting him for deliberate witholding this sensitive information to TOC’s readers:

(Note: this article will be updated daily to counter The Online Citizen’s propaganda that they have the “support” of the majority of netizens)

TOC confirms PAP links:

http://forums.delphiforums.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=sammyboymod&msg=166661.1

Choo Zheng Xi is a PAP dog:

http://forums.delphiforums.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=sammyboymod&msg=166659.1

The Online CONS inflitrated by PAP !!!

http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/showthread.php?p=28183027#post28183027

TOC under siege

http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/showthread.php?t=1863023

TOC’s Remy Choo admits being paid by PAP MP to write

http://www.youngpap.org.sg/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=18989

Comments by Netizens:

Robert Teh K H on Young PAP forum:

By all sorts of devious means the government has already taken complete control of the media like SPH or CNA to serve their own narrow-minded purpose of control and self-glorifications.Internet is the only avenue left for people to communicate among themselves.It looks like it will not spare the internet from their devious control and scheming.That is why when my posts to onlinecitizens were constantly stopped or deleted after announcements of youngpap member Ehpraim being invited to join its editorial team sometime back, I have decided to stop posting there.It is not surprising that onlinecitizens has effectively been taken over by the youngpap now as witnessed by the admissions mentioned.

satayxp on hardawarezone: with YPAP airframe loy and now this cho guy being a paid writer for PAP, i imagine there isnt much credibility left.. not to mention the background of the other writers ~

edmwcsi on hardawarezone:

Seems like these are the facts:
1) Choo Zheng Xi – paid $500 monthly by PAP MP Ho Geok Choo
2) Ephraim Loy – PAP George Yeo’s pet and shares a blog with him
3) Gerald Giam – member of MDA’s Film’s Appeal Committee Hmm… doesn’t look too good for TOC. Has Andrew Loh sold out? Or was he seduced by PAP’s pedigree and unconciously let the wolves into the pen? pete98 on hardawarezone:Thats becos all don’t qualify to be in PAP. So all are only PAP-wannabes. Dreaming of the day to be accept into the fold of the ruling party.

holygoh on sgforums:

One already caught being paid to write for TOC. You can read about it here. Apparently the person was is being paid $500 every month. Not bad wor. Where do I sign up?

sgbeng on Sammyboy delphi forum:

PAP is doing solid ground work engaging SG citizen in Cyber space too. No wonder their salary is increasing – new job scope.

SimplyGab on Sammyboy delphi forum:

SO GMS was only half right

Its been a year since the launch of the PAP online counter insurgency. While we are all looking out for these under the radar moles, perhaps we were looking at the wrong places.

Akikonomu on Singabloodypore:

“so the great saviour, REMY CHOO comes in to restore toc’s credibility
but actually, he is the greatest con. guess what? 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.” – Jasper’s original comment

Reading this claim, there are 2 possible interpretations:
A. Jasper alleges that Remy was paid to write articles on TOC by the Whiteshirts
B. Jasper alleges that Remy was paid to write elsewhere by the Whiteshirts

We can all agree that if A is true, TOC has much to answer for – it’s become a proxy for the Whiteshirts, an astroturf operation – and it deserves to be condemned for misrepresenting itself as a nonpartisan blog.

As it stands, TOC is denying A, but admitting to B.

Surely B is not as huge a crime as A? And what does B really mean – merely that TOC decided Remy’s paid writing elsewhere for an MP does not constitute a conflict of interests with his role as owner of TOC, and decided that the public didn’t need to know about it.

If you think that’s just as bad as A, we need some explaining why it’s just as bad…

Looking at TOC’s explanation of Remy’s work for the MP, though… preparing parliamentary speeches seems to spell out “political intern” than freelance writer?

Mould on Singabloodypore:

Zheng Xi himself said he researches and writes for a Boon Lay PAP MP! But yet insist that he is not paid to write PAP views in TOC. Like standing in a no-smoking room with a lit cigarete and say, “since I did not put cigarete in mouth, it means I am not smoking so I cannot be fined for smoking”

wyredup on hardwarezone:

I think one core issue is that we should not throw the baby out with the bath water. TOC is quite solid as a whole in its presentation, articles and energy.

Just because that one guy Choo Zheng Xi was stupid enough to think that his ties to the PAP, can be kept buried, it should not drag the whole TOC down. The second mistake TOC and Choo Zheng Xi did was to deny it and that made matters worse when it turned out that Choo was less than totally honest

edmwcsi on hardwarezone:

I think if TOC wants to save what’s left of its credibility, this Choo guy must either quit TOC or quit working for the PAP MP. If TOC got so many PAP writers, it will be no different from Straits Times. Disappointed with TOC la.

Genie99a on sgforums:

thanks for bringing this to my attention …. Online Citizens … i’ll make it a point to NEVER go there.

i would prefer an independent forum anyday

After reading the articles…. my point of view… i don’t trust them

benjani on Singabloodypore:

hi mr choo,

what about a PAP MP paying YOU to write something good about
HER constituency somewhere in the west of Singapore? that makes more sense huh? u are learning well in nus law with this perception twist. though i am sure they teach you the consequences of perjuring. time to come clean.

have you ever been paid by a PAP MP for writing? yes or no?

hohoho

Shudyourmouth on sgforums:

Agree with you Robert.

There is really no good excuse that can be used to save them.

Credibility down the toilet bowl *flush

daemon on Singabloodypore:

Agree totally. I bet that TOC themselves did not know Remy had this secret job and when they found out they opted for the B is not as bad as A scenario. Anyone who is the secret private ghost writer of a PAP MP and paid $500 MONTHLY cannot claim to represent independent writing. Absolutely no credibility.

Jasper on Singabloodypore:

what else is REMY CHOO hiding from us? he thinks that working for a pap mp is not something that toc readers should know? talk cock lah.

there is something else readers wont know. if i didnt force the issue a second time at toc, REMY CHOO would still be denying to this minute that he is paid by a boon lay mp.

TheOrdinaryCitizen on Singabloodypore:

well said soci

it was very fair and objective of you to make that statement.

now that the truth is out, suddenly the likes of Andrew and Remy are staying away from your blog.

I would like to see the editors of TOC issue an apology to Jasper, since they were so quick to demand such from him and wayangparty.

YRNemesis on Sammyboy forum:

I hv just popped in TOC.
I cant help but think it will fail.
U dont hv participation, not to mention real participation.

Dont manage the internet; itz futile.
If the establishment wanna listen to the ground,
Go down to the ground.
Dont creat a ground, fence it up, then say ” come, come, play your game under my rules”

Itz already here; it is everywhere.
Why waste money to “cage” thots

QuinceL on Sammyboy forum:

Ya lor, they are marvelous, very good in supporting the despots PAP. They do such a good job to make people feel it is not part of PAP in the beginning

Jasper’s sensational revelations about Remy Choo’s links with a PAP MP, the latter’s initial dismissal of them as “hogwash” and his dramatic capitulation subsequently with a public confession which has discredited TOC completely had polarized blogosphere into two camps.

Anonymous on nofearsingapore.blogspot.com:

The conflict of interest that you suggest exists, is not between him being just a paid worker and an editor of a political blog… but because he’s a political intern and an editor of a political blog.

Note that political interns are essentially auxiliary staff of an MP! Where does she get the money to pay him… except from the state?

Anonymous on nofearsingapore.blogspot.com:

Actually i agree with you on Remy Choo but if you were to repeat this in the TOC blog, you will be ripped apart by their fanatical supporters.

To say that there is no conflict of interest is naive at best. If it was not a problem, why did it come to light only now from a malicious allegation and more so after a deleted TOC comment?

No matter what content Remy Choo publishes in the future, it will still be judged based on this revelation.

If you had a stinker on something happening in Boon Lay would you divulge this to TOC?

Anyway good and somewhat “brave” post.

sandy on nofearsingapore.blogspot.com:

If it looks like a dog, acts like a dog, and sounds like a dog, then it is a dog!

Those who frequent sammyboy will know that TOC founder was a flip flop and a pro-pap running dog. Such questionable character traits should already raise alarm bells right from the start.

megwerty on hardwarezone:

the questionable allegiance of remy and andrew from TOC has had a great impact on political freedom and independence for the common man.

to date, the TOC is one of the few organized resources which have provided information, views and perhaps even statistics analysis that has been lesser published by the mainstream media. indeed, its claim that it was not an pro nor anti-government/establishment site was not far from the truth.

however, the questioning of their credibility of neutrality due to the receipt of ‘honorarium’ by a couple of their editors, have only destroyed one of the few organized forums of untainted views from the general public.

and as such, we need to weed out such personnel from TOC, for it to remain its credibility for being neutral. should we abandon one of the few organized forums we’ve had, because of this debacle, we’ll be doing ourselves, and our right to information, a greater disservice.

personally, i’m ‘impressed’ at the act of offering the honorarium in the first place. at worst, nobody accepts it, and status quo remains. but should someone accept it, the neutrality of the articles is affected henceforth. but the more insidious resultant is exactly as of what has happened here; an exposure of this defect to one side, which may discredit the entire forum as a whole, thereby reducing its credibility and therefore, its threat!

and the worst part is, u can’t call it bribery or anything in that realm. so there’s nothing to stop such offers from being made again. and the only way, that such organized forums for the people, by the people can remain organized, is if the people stay clean and uninfiltrated.

how much is your belief worth? apparently, some are so good that they have a price tag of a ministerial pay. they’re the elites, coz they didnt accept the $500 honorarium.

GrimaH on hardwarezone:

lol wayangparty.
They’ve lost all credibility there. Not to say they might have had any left.

patgoh on YPAP forum:

The concern of some readers of TOC and the attacks on TOC and its editorial team stem from its website’s name, i.e. “onlineCITIZEN”.

The name of the website suggests and projects an image that it is for the CITIZENs i.e. it is for the general public and that the contents are that of general public’s views (without any political party’s influences or connection).

Thus those who buy the name would expect that it is by the CITIZENS for the CITIZENS.

If I open a shop with a shop’s name ” 1/2 price Shop”. Many shoppers would expect that the items I am selling in the shop to be of 1/2 price of what other shops are selling.

To me, “1/2 Price Shop” is the shop’s name, but to others, 1/2 price is what my shop promises.

patgoh on YPAP forum:

While some shoppers after realising that the prices of items in my shop are not 1/2 price would quietly walk out, some shoppers who think that they are being deceived would demand/insist that my shop should sell all the items at 1/2 price or that I change my shop’s name. (Not realising or temporary forgotten that I am the boss and I call the shots)

Chemical Generation Singapore:

In the aftermath of The Online Citizen controversy recently, some of its editors have not been completely truthful at first about the remote dealings with a PAP MP, and their eventual explanations of events are short of a full apology and closure to readers. A political and public relations leap ahead in the game is squandered away as a result of the editors’ hesitation to be magnanimous.

Jerome Yao on Chemical Generation Singapore:

Hi there,

I don’t think TOC owes anybody an apology….for what ?

However, Remy Choo should make an apology for telling a blatant lie to mislead bloggers.

There is nothing inherently wrong in being paid to write for a PAP MP and being the Chief Editor of TOC at the same time.

However, I harbor serious doubts about his honesty when he deny point-blank the allegations only to retract his defense later.

For this, I strongly feel Choo should apologize and bring to closure the entire saga.

Genie99a on Sgforums:

It is TOC’s choice if they wish to have PAP members on the TOC team. But to be fair it should be made known to their forumners. Whether the PAP members contribute responsibly and add credibility to TOC is insubstantial. This goes for Opposition members as well.

When I visit a forum I expect it to try to be a neutral body. It is difficult for a commoner such as myself to have faith that the forum is trying to do that if political members are admitted into the editorial body. It is insubstantial if TOC claims that and i quote you “TOC, has no interest in cooperating with the establishment or representing the mainstream views espoused by traditional media”, that faith is lost amongst some of us. It is similar to having friends that are all criminals, few will have faith that I am not one myself. The fact I am not one is insubstantial as faith is lost amongst the public. This is a fact in life be it right or wrong. The question is why does TOC choose to go against the public faith?

To quote you on “The PAP government (may the PAP progress!) does not need TOC to advance its agenda or promote its policies. They already have the mainstream media as well as various discussion groups and committees to do that for them.” The PAP government does not need TOC but i believe it stands to gain if TOC was there to advance its agenda. That is reason enuf for the common public’s faith in TOC as a neutral body to waiver. And as fer false accusations and questions…. that is a bi-product. If TOC is distressed about the accusations then don’t do it? Same goes for a celebrity…. if you can’t take the stress of the papparazi… don’t be a celebrity

Conclusion

While many find Remy Choo’s clumsy attempts to cover his tracks dubious and suspicious, there are some who argued for TOC to be judged by its contents rather than the background of its writers. We ask if this was indeed true, why did Choo try so hard to hide his work for a PAP MP in the first place ? Is he doing so out of guilty conscience ?

In our next article, we will put Remy Choo’s words under closer scrutiny.