“Mr Siew has also asked REACH to furnish him with the IP addresses and particulars of the netizens who made the alleged postings on the REACH website. As his request will breach our website’s privacy policy, we are unable to accede to it.”

This is good… let’s see what happens when other websites are accused of allowing inflammatory comments on their sites about the government, its leaders, and see if these websites are then forced to close down or forced to furnish the IP addresses/particulars. I have my doubts.

SKH has to remember REACH is a government site. What is lae for others is not law for them.

However it is a good precedence set by a government site. No sites will need to provide any IP addresses/particulars of any netizens who post inflammatory comments on these sites.

Make up your own conclusions.

To: REACH

18 May 2009

Dear Sirs/Madams,

My name is Siew Kum Hong. I am currently a Nominated Member of Parliament.

Your website is currently hosting various comments that are highly defamatory of me and that are in breach of your Terms of Use, in particular, the comments suggesting or insinuating that I have received or am receiving foreign funding (including but not limited to the comments posted by “Right versus Wrong” on 16 May 09 at 12:45 PM, “Margret wong” on 16 May 09 at 15:50 PM, “James Lim” on 16 May 09 at 17:53 PM, “pinkdot” on 16 May 09 at 18:39 PM, “piss off” on 17 May 09 at 12:52 PM, and “GET THE FACT RIGHT” on 17 May 09 at 17:46 PM) at the URL http://app.reach.gov.sg/reach/TalkAbuzz/SnapshotsofHotIssues/tabid/233/ctl/Details/mid/917/ItemID/82/Default.aspx Please note that I have made a police report about this matter.

I hereby request that:

(a) you immediately remove either the entire thread, or at least the offending comments and all associated comments at the above URL, and provide e-mail confirmation of the same immediately upon removal;

(b) you produce all particulars in your possession, custody or control pertaining to the users listed above, including all registration particulars and IP addresses (and corresponding dates and times) associated with these users and/or their comments, as soon as possible and in any event not later than close of business on Wednesday 20 May 2009; and

(c) you immediately preserve all information in your possession, custody or control relating to this matter (including the particulars referred to in paragraph (b)), in view of potential criminal investigations and civil proceedings that may require the production of this information.

Please feel free to contact me at my email should you have any queries or require any clarifications. Please send the confirmation requested for in paragraph (a) above, and the information requested for in paragraph (b) above to, to this e-mail address.

Thank you for your attention.

Siew Kum Hong

Response from REACH

Mr Siew Kum Hong has written to REACH to request the removal of postings which made specific allegations against him that he felt were defamatory. Mr Siew has disputed the allegations and informed us that he has filed a police report.

Mr Siew has also asked REACH to furnish him with the IP addresses and particulars of the netizens who made the alleged postings on the REACH website. As his request will breach our website’s privacy policy, we are unable to accede to it.

As the administrator of the REACH website, we have the right to remove any postings, including those which we consider to be in breach of the Terms of Use of the website, or otherwise objectionable. We have exercised this right and removed some postings.

REACH offers an open platform for Singaporeans to engage the Government on issues as well as to engage one another freely with their views and ideas. We encourage responsible online discourse, and we would expect netizens to act with decorum, observe acceptable norms of cyber etiquette, and avoid making irresponsible comments. For meaningful and constructive engagement, netizens have to be accountable and responsible for the comments they make.