PM Goh ushers in e-mail glasnost  

South China Morning Post. May 13, 2000

BY BARRY PORTER in Singapore

CABINET ministers and senior officials have begun posting their personal e-mail addresses and direct phone numbers on the Internet in a bid to boost transparency and garner public feedback,

The Prime Minister, Goh Chok Tong (goh-chok-tong@pmo.gov.sg), yesterday proved exceptionally efficient, personally replying to an e-mail within two hours of its being sent.

"It's in keeping with the times," Mr Goh replied. "I have always received mails and faxes from members of the public. Giving my e-mail address is an extension of giving my office address. It makes it easier for those who wish to write to me."

Mr Goh said he had received 20 e-mails since the initiative was launched, on subjects ranging from Islamic schools and animal homes to bank charges and luring foreign talent. He said he would personally check his e-mail account almost daily, but conceded he had designated an official to reply on his behalf where necessary.

The South China Morning Post e-mailed 13 cabinet ministers with queries yesterday, including the veteran Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew (lee-kuan-yew@pmo.gov.sg). Mr Goh, Foreign Minister S. Jayakumar and Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng were the only ones to provide same-day personal replies.

At least two ministers - Finance Minister Richard Hu and Community Development and Sports Minister Abdullah Tarmugi - admitted to having appointed officers to sieve through their e-mails.

Senior Minister Lee received two copies of the devastating ILOVEYOU computer virus among his inaugural batch of Internet messages.

Among his first 11 e-mails was one from the Public Works Department apologising for accidentally having sent him the virus, which has caused an estimated US$10 billion worth of damage worldwide since last Thursday.

Mr Lee admitted he had clicked on the virus message out of curiosity. Luckily, an anti-virus programme successfully kicked in, preventing his computer from being infected.

·         Published in the South China Morning Post  May 13, 2000.
 
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