Forum thread closed for comments after “IB” called out for attacking LHY

SINGAPORE: A discussion thread on Singapore’s HardwareZone Forum, which featured criticism from Lee Hsien Yang (LHY) about the Singapore Electoral Boundaries Review Committee (EBRC), was closed to new comments after users identified and criticized the presence of “Internet Brigades (IB)” believed to be attacking and smearing LHY.

In a Facebook post on Thursday, LHY—brother of Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong and son of the late Lee Kuan Yew—criticized the EBRC for becoming increasingly partisan, unrepresentative, and unfair over the years.

LHY pointed out the flaw in having the Prime Minister both convene the EBRC and receive its recommendations, creating conflicts of interest.

He urged for a system to prevent gerrymandering and ensure fair treatment of voters.

His comments followed a motion moved on 7 August by Hazel Poa and Leong Mun Wai, Non-Constituency Members of Parliament from the Progress Singapore Party (PSP), calling for a government review of the electoral boundary determination process to increase transparency and fairness.

LHY emphasized that Singapore needs a politically impartial electoral boundaries system that aligns with international best practices, asserting that Singaporean voters deserve to be treated fairly.

A user shared LHY’s Facebook post on the HardwareZone forum, prompting a heated discussion.

There are forum members who echoed LHY’s criticism of the EBRC. Some comments questioned the peculiar shape of the Marine Parade GRC delineation, noting that Serangoon South and Hougang South are included, and joking that it might as well extend to Woodlands.

Another user mentioned that, as a resident of Holland, his area was grouped under Tanjong Pagar GRC in the last two elections.

A comment suggested that the primary issue lies not with how the electoral boundaries are drawn, but with the voters themselves. The user argues that voters are unwilling to change and accept being disadvantaged.

He believes that the most effective solution would be to convert all constituencies to Single Member Constituencies (SMCs), which would create direct, one-on-one contests between candidates, ensuring a fairer electoral process.

Additionally, some comments smeared LHY, suggesting he should “shut up” and stop commenting on Singaporean matters while living abroad.

This was immediately called out by some commenters, who highlighted the presence of a pro-ruling party “internet brigade.”

They questioned whether this indicates that the ruling party still fears the influence of the alternative party, the Progress Singapore Party (PSP), amid the upcoming election.

LHY joined the PSP during the General Election in 2020. At the time, he remarked that the current People’s Action Party (PAP) has “lost its way” and is no longer the party with the “founding principles that Lee Kuan Yew had envisioned.”

The thread subsequently became embroiled in a heated debate over the allegations of the “internet brigade” presence.

Notably, the discussion thread has now been closed to new comments.

Ruling Party’s Long-Standing Effort to “Rebut Anti-Establishment Views” in Cyberspace

The “PAP Internet Brigade (IB)” is often discussed in Singapore’s political landscape as a coordinated group of online activists supporting the ruling party’s agenda.

This brigade is believed to have been formed after the 2006 General Election, with the PAP recognizing the growing influence of new media and its impact on public opinion.

An article in 2007 documents the effort by the ruling party having members to post comments in forums to combat anti-establishment views and negative narratives about the party.

One of the key tactics of the IB is to engage in online discussions without overtly identifying as PAP members. This approach allows them to influence public discourse subtly, blending in with regular netizens while pushing the party’s agenda.

The IB not only amplifies pro-PAP messages but also works to undermine the reputation and credibility of opposition parties.

The effectiveness of the IB is enhanced by the PAP’s access to significant resources and the legal framework provided by the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA).

While social media provides a platform for all voices, the PAP’s IB is seen as having an advantage due to its organized structure, political backing, and the ability to avoid consequences under POFMA such as putting up lies about the Workers’ Party amid the 9-year-long Aljunied-Hougang Town Council saga which has recently concluded.

This creates a perception that the playing field is uneven, with the IB enjoying a level of impunity that alternative parties and voices lack, allowing it to operate more aggressively in defending the party and discrediting its opponents.