Their somewhat conspiratorial thinking goes that Singapore wants to look hip and liberal, and so sanctioning (even sponsoring, say some) a website that purports to occasionally challenge prevailing orthodoxies -- which in Singapore often means to discuss meaningfully something other than food -- adds to that cool, "wired island" feel. Some of Sintercom's habitues even claim the groovier government ministers like George Yeo (trade and industry) surf in there and post a few rejoinders. And engage is the operative word here. For many Singaporeans, that's at least an advance on that old government practice of monitoring discussion.

As I said, Sintercom isn't always serving hot potatoes. But up alongside newspapers like the "Straits Times," Sintercom at least canvasses a few issues in its forums and chat rooms -- anonymously of course. And the people behind the site -- thoughtful, middle-class Singaporeans -- would be horrified to see their site described as "dissident" or even "samizdat." And they'd be right. Anywhere else, Sintercom's discussion points would be so mainstream as to be mundane; they're mostly about how Singapore can develop as a civil society.

But Singapore isn't anywhere else. And there's an election looming. So the control regime rears its ugly head. Last week, Sintercom's organizer got a letter from the Singapore government, a typically Singaporean letter. Here it is:

Dear Mr Tan,

1. We note that your website www.sintercom.org engages in the propagation, promotion and discussion of political issues relating to Singapore.

2. Please be informed that under the Singapore Broadcasting Authority Notification 1996, any body of persons engaged in the propagation, promotion or discussion of political issues relating to Singapore on the Internet is required to register with the Authority.

3. Please complete the enclosed registration form B and form B2, and return the completed forms to me within 14 days from the date of this letter.

4. Do feel free to call me at 837 9385 should you have any queries.

Thank you.

Yours sincerely,
Paglar Yvonne Ann (Ms)
Management executive (New Media policy)
for Chief Executive Officer Singapore Broadcasting Authority

After receiving this letter, Sintercom's Tan Chong Kee says he's "still talking to people, weighing options and deciding on a course of action." (For Sintercom's respose click here.) It's a tough call for Tan -- he's made openness and transparency a hallmark of Sintercom. Indeed, it goes to the heart of his wider goal for civil society in Singapore.

But after action like this -- and this won't be the first as the election nears -- many Singaporeans are questioning whether this is the right approach for a struggling country in recession as it seeks to re-invent itself as an Internet- based knowledge economy? I hardly think so.