Lee Kuan Yew,
Why not start a weblog?
He has a lot of wisdom; best way to pass it to youths is in the blogophere. By Seah Chiang Nee
Jun 6, 2005

I'm like to suggest that the Minister Mentor start his own personal website, although admittedly the prospect of it is rather slim. No harm in trying because I think it's a good idea.

Reason? At 81, Mr. Lee Kuan Yew still possesses one of the sharpest minds around and his knowledge about issues involving Singapore and the world, new and old, would be a tremendous boon to youths everywhere.

The weblog could be small and simple, to reflect his personal views and thoughts.

Singapore's weblog community is expanding rapidly, and it is operated and read by tens of thousands of serious minded, well-educated youths. The number is starting to grow - rapidly.

The two-volume books thet he wrote (in several languages) had a crucial objective. It was to ensure that the story of early Singapore and the rationale behind its success are not lost to the new, and future, generations.

They contained fundamentals that would work for all times, but they also contained strategies that have outlived their usefulness in today's brand new world. Mr. Lee's fresh input will be helpful.

Singapore's new direction for growth is facing new perplexing problems whose solutions look to be beyond reach. Confidence hasn't been restored and wiser counsel could be assuring.

Singapore is a 'smart island' with more than half the population having access to cable Internet round the clock.

It is time for the government to make use of the blogosphere as a place to talk with its citizens, rather than rely 100 per cent on the mainstream media.

Whether it likes it or not, the web with its huge potential is here to stay. Rather than fight it, why not join it!

The reason is compelling. More youths have stopped reading newspapers, preferring the Internet and this is not a passing fad.

Besides how else can the government reach out to the 150,000-200,000 Singaporeans who are living abroad? The vast majority has stopped visiting The Straits Times website since it began charging readers.

Mr. Lee is not only articulate. Very few in government can explain issues the way he can. The weblog is cut out for him. In fact I can't think of a more interesting blogger or a more edffective contribution to nation-building than this.

Will it undermine the government's authority, especially when Mr. Lee writes too strongly on a policy?

He is, after all, still a cabinet senior. Despite the 'advisor's' tag, he remains one of Singapore's most influential men.

So a Kuan Yew digital diary interfere with the cabinet? Unlikely.

Firstly, a weblog reflects the writer's personal views and Mr. Lee has the experience to avoid the obvious pitfall. He will know what to say, and what not to say.

In fact he can use it as a supplementary voice to explain official strategies or policies better than most others in the cabinet, using his own words, unedited. Like the recent case of the casino resorts.

Like others, his personal diary can include or exclude any contributing comments from the public. It's his weblog and he can do what he likes with it.

He's 81 and should do it as soon as possible, maybe with the help of a technical and editorial aide.

The archive of what Mr. Lee blogs can be further edited into a new book (Part 3) that touches on the New Singapore that's uncovered by the first two volumes. This could be more talksy to reflect his latest thoughts.

His assistant can help with the technical work as well as wean through the public replies when are received; some of them, I guarantee it, will be immature, rude or obscene.

I am very sure, however, there will be critics (in fact a fair number) who will like to engage Mr. Lee in helpful debate. But if they are rational, articulate and in refined language, why not!

It can only benefit the country.

The former King Norodom Sihanouk of Cambodia, aged 82, had also launched his own personal diary three years ago.

In a recent blog, he said: "I thank you for insulting me." He didn't share any of the insulting e-mails with his readers, but noted:

"My country, Cambodia, has chosen to be a liberal democracy since 1993. Every Cambodian - including the King has the right to express freely their view."

Well, we all know that Singapore is different; I'm sure Mr. Lee will not do it this way.

But he will do well to ponder Sihanouk's entry into the expanding blogosphere: He wants to understand and talk to the new generation.
By Seah Chiang Nee