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Digital Consultants Helped Six MPs Shine Online In GE2015

It is a job which may not have existed a decade ago, but one now finding increasing currency, particularly among those in the public eye.

Meet digital consultants Natasha Zhao, 29, and Freda Kwok, 27. Among their clients are six People’s Action Party MPs – three of them holding ministerial portfolios including one Senior Minister of State.

This month’s election results were a culmination of a year’s hard work for the MPs who hired them. All six clients were elected. “We worked on their online reputation,” says Ms Zhao. “A good digital engagement plan is best implemented early, during times of peace.”

The MPs identify and recruit residents who support them early on. The digital consultants then advise these advocates on the dos and don’ts of online campaigning.

They use social media monitoring tools to “listen” in on online conversations, then let them know when action is needed. “Part of the battle involves picking the right battlefield. It may not make sense to have supporters go into overly hostile territory,” says Ms Kwok.

Guidelines include having these supporters post replies from a genuine account, maintaining an objective tone, sharing personal experiences and refraining from personal attacks on other netizens.

The tools also determine what type of content resonates with netizens. For instance, posts containing personal thoughts and insights into a candidate’s personal life get up to three times more likes, comments or shares on social media compared to ones on policies.

The consultant might also suggest responses to issues or a cause.

Ultimately, however, the client decides what information goes out.

One candidate, who declines to be named, says residents of all ages follow her on Facebook: “Amid rising expectation from voters and the fact that many may not have time for face-to-face engagement, social media becomes a more important platform for reaching out to these residents.”

Ms Zhao and Ms Kwok, both from QED consulting, decline to reveal how much the MPs paid. Digital consultants can charge up to $150 an hour.

Professor Ang Peng Hwa, an adviser at the Singapore Internet Research Centre, says social media matters can get out of hand: “That some candidates are using consultants shows they are playing it safe. You can’t respond to everything, so you’ll need to be smart about what you reply to, and what you say.”

So how do the other parties handle their social media?

The Workers’ Party declined to be interviewed, while questions sent to the Singapore Democratic Party went unanswered.

People’s Power Party founder Goh Meng Seng says his party does most things on its own. “Our time and resources are limited and our supporters understand that. Our content also feels more authentic.”

Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA) chairman Desmond Lim says his party’s efforts include actively monitoring comments on its Facebook page, which is regularly updated. “It is important that comments do not steer mindsets in the wrong direction and dilute the essence of what SDA stands for,” he says.

Some politicians, says Ms Kwok, also rely on help from volunteers, who are not digital professionals but are enthusiastic and savvy about social media use.

“The danger is that sometimes they might not fully understand the complexities and sensitivities involved in digital communications,” she adds.

That is one reason Prof Ang thinks the political dimension on social media here has space to grow, compared to campaigns like US President Barack Obama’s in 2008.

“There was more social media buzz this time round compared to the last election, but nothing really stood out,” he says.

The consultants, however, are optimistic. Says Ms Kwok: “How an item trends on social media will continue to be an important marker in tracking how critical it is.”

Source: www.straitstimes.com

September 27, 2015
Australian Journalist Converted To Islam, Finds Rest And Peace In The Religion

BY SARAH PRICE

Islamist. Jihadist. ISIS. Terrorist. Women banned from driving in Saudi Arabia. Burqa. 9/11… For a word that means ‘peaceful submission to God’, Islam is a religion that is connected to some pretty negative connotations and often seen in the media for all the wrong reasons. So, why would an educated, independent and well-travelled young Australian woman decide to convert to a religion widely considered ‘backwards’?

I get confused looks at my fair skin and light eyes. Some Australians ask what country I’m from, and get shocked to hear I’m Australian. Australian AND Muslim? The combination is unthinkable to some.

Converting to Islam hasn’t been easy. I’ve been called names, been scrutinized, rejected and fired from jobs, lost friends and had a really difficult time with my family accepting the changes in my life. Despite the harsh and rude comments about my change in faith (including how some assume I converted for a man), I’ve also had people come up to me and ask me why. It’s a question I’m happy to answer. My conversion to Islam was down to three main factors. This is my story and the story of the journey that led me over the course of two years to where I am now.
MALAYSIA

Traveling to Malaysia was definitely the foundation for my conversion to Islam. I went there after deciding on a whim to go on student exchange, not imagining what a crazy adventure I had set myself up for. It got me out of my comfort zone and exposed to things I had never seen as a small town Australian girl from Gippsland.

Before Malaysia, I knew nothing about Islam. I had never met a Muslim (to my knowledge) and I always thought of Muslims as wearing heavy black garments somewhere in the Middle East, far, far away from ‘civilisation’. I thought Muslim women were oppressed. That they couldn’t go anywhere without their husbands, that they couldn’t have careers, and had to wear black all the time.

My image of Islam was shattered when I went to Malaysia. I found myself becoming curious about the pretty South-East Asian Muslim girls with their colourful hijabs and clothes. I made many Muslim friends who went to university and had jobs. Some wore veils and others didn’t. They all seemed quite content and loved their religion and Islam quickly became a religion I wanted to learn more about.

My eyes and mind were opened, when, as a journalism student, I did an article about Muslim women’s rights. That was the beginning of everything. My mind was suddenly bursting with knowledge about Islam and the fact that women had many rights in Islam! Muslim women were legally given rights (including divorce, land rights, monetary rights, the right to choose who to marry, etc) in the Qur’an and Hadiths hundreds of years before Western women won the same rights.

The first time I stepped into a mosque in Malaysia, I felt an immediate sense of calm and peace. The strong yet humble cry of the call to prayer invoked feelings in me I never felt before. When I first bowed my head toward the Ka’ba, I felt home in my heart. I didn’t convert to Islam in Malaysia – I did that over a year later – but it introduced me in a beautiful way to Islam and to the Oneness of God.

CHRISTIANITY

I was a very staunch Christian before converting to Islam. My life as a Christian was a focal point of my faith journey; without it I would not be a Muslim and it was my love for Jesus (peace be upon him) that actually led me to Islam.

Christianity is actually the closest religion to Islam, not only theologically but also historically. There are many misconceptions about what Islam teaches about Christianity. To begin, the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) wrote a letter regarding how Muslims should treat Christians. We are to treat Christians with respect – even if a Muslim man is married to a Christian woman, she cannot be stopped from praying in her place of worship.

Christians and Jews are commonly referred to as ‘People of the Book’ in Islam, because we all have the same Abrahamic roots. Jesus’ (pbuh) name is actually mentioned more times in the Qur’an than the Prophet Muhammad’s (pbuh). Muslims still believe in the virgin birth and places importance on Mary (may Allah be pleased with her). Jesus is an important figure and you cannot be a Muslim without believing in the life and work of Jesus (pbuh).

The only difference between Christians and Muslims is that we take Jesus (pbuh) to be a prophet and not to be worshipped alongside God. Islam teaches the Oneness of God, and to worship Allah (swt) alone and we believe that Jesus (pbuh) taught this himself. The term ‘Allah’, by the way, is the Arabic word for ‘God’ and is not just an Islamic term. Arab Christians also call God ‘Allah’.

I love most aspects of Christianity. I love how it teaches compassion, mercy, love and all the good things we human beings should aspire to be. It’s wonderful that many churches are so active in the community and want to do good things in society and help others.

After returning to Australia from Malaysia I felt like something was missing. I researched key aspects and foundations of Christianity. I researched what Paul taught, what various historical leaders implemented after the death of Christ and I read my Bible inside out.

I researched what has been taken out of the Bible, what has been put in and the various contradictions and solid truths of the Bible. There are similarities between the Qur’an and the Bible. For me, the Qur’an answered many questions I had about my Christian faith for a long time. I could find no fault, no contradictions in the Qur’an. I listened to debates between world-renowned Biblical and Qur’anic scholars, with the Qur’an making more sense to me every time.

However, even when I found Islam to be the truth for me, it was very hard for me to actually leave Christianity. Religion has always been the most important thing in my life, and I wanted to make sure I was converting to Islam with all my heart and for all the right reasons. Converting to Islam meant I had certain obligations – praying at least five times a day, giving more to charity, wearing more modest clothing (a choice that I gradually implemented in my life) and give up drinking (drinking is forbidden in Islam).

This is a mammoth change; as much as I didn’t want to leave the safe haven of the church, I also knew I had to follow my heart to what I believe whole-heartedly is complete truth. I didn’t see converting to Islam as so drastically different to Christianity however; I saw it more as an update of my faith, for many reasons.

Christianity taught me to love God. It taught me humility, it taught me to love others, and it taught me a lot about Jesus (pbuh). I would not be who I am if I wasn’t once a Christian.

JOURNALISM

The best part of being a journalist is being able to make some change in the world; to give people a voice, to learn about human beings and the world around me. Being a journalist led me to learn about Islam.

Interviewing U.N. Person of the Year, passionate leader of SIS (Sisters in Islam), writer and strong advocate for women’s rights Marina Mahathir shaped my view of Muslim women’s rights and of Islam itself. I still remember how sweaty my palms were when I interviewed her. A million thoughts were rushing through my head. ‘Am I good enough?’ ‘Am I really cut out for journalism?’ This was my first interview with someone quite famous.

As soon as I met Marina, her quiet yet assertive nature impressed me and I immediately felt a sense of ease. I knew the interview was an important one, a life-changing one. She answered so many questions I had been asking myself since arriving in Malaysia. Her knowledge was exhilarating and I felt as if I had a newfound understanding of something much bigger and deeper than I ever thought possible.

“We are all one people on this Earth,” said Marina as we finished the interview. Looking back now, I know that was the most important lesson I had learned thus far. Despite various factors that apparently make us so different –national borders, politics, culture, tribes, heritage, skin colour, race and religion – we all bleed the same and breathe the same air. I think we should all try to remember this daily.

Becoming a Muslim and incorporating it into my life has not been easy in the slightest. It’s hard, and I learn more every day. People judge me, even Muslims judge me. Being a Muslim has tested my patience more than ever before or ever imagined. But they say the right path is not always the easiest one – and despite how hard it is at times, it also brings an incredible sense of peace in my heart and into my life. I wouldn’t have it any other way. It makes me happy, it makes me cry, and it makes me question a lot of things about society and about the Dunya (this life).

All I can say is that I find rest with Allah (swt), and no matter what I go through, I know I am never alone every time I make Salat to my Creator. Truly, ‘verily with every hardship comes ease’ (Al-Inshirah 94:6).

Yes, I am Muslim. I am also Australian, I’m a journalist, and I am also a traveler. Being a Muslim doesn’t change the elements that make up who I am as a person.

Sarah Price is a Master of Journalism student at Monash University Australia. She has interned in Malaysia and Melbourne.

Source: https://sg.news.yahoo.com

September 27, 2015
Tamil-Hindu Student Felt Real Discrimination And Racism In His Junior College

Post #1:

“I entered the next phase of my life in JC not knowing much about the inequalities and discrimination faced by Singaporeans. I was from an English speaking Christian school and mixing around with other races was not much of an issue. I must also admit that I was from a rather privileged family background.

I am Indian, more specifically a mix of a Tamil and Gujarati heritage, and am born a Hindu. These labels are important as we embrace diversity – not to divide, but to appreciate the rich diversity around us.

In JC, the first thing I noticed as I stepped into my new class was how nearly everyone was speaking in Chinese (Mandarin). Most of the students in my class (and my JC) were from Chinese SAP Schools. I still remember one of the first questions a classmate asked me – “”Are you Malay?””. I do not look Malay in any way, but to him as I later found out, as long as you are lighter skinned, you are Malay – likewise, if you are darker skinned you are definitely Indian.

The acute lack of awareness of other races became more and more apparent as the term progressed. Another one of my classmates (who is from another notable SAP School), did not know what Halal food meant and my exasperated reply to him led me to discover further that he didn’t know that Hindus were not allowed to eat beef. The ignorance only scratched the surface.

A disturbing number of of these SAP school students sang their school songs in Chinese, spoke in Chinese at home, to their friends, and everywhere else. They learnt a lot about China and Confucius teachings. They have an unhealthy obsession and love for China, it’s history and the rise of China as a superpower. The lives were almost entirely sino-centric and failed to appreciate and understand the diversity in our own home, let alone the rest of the world. There I said it. Many people think it, but do not talk about it. On their own, there is nothing wrong with the above. But SAP schools do not equip their students for a further beyond their safe zone of Chinese friends, colleagues, bosses etc. As many Indians can attest to, the discrimination and prejudice faced by Indians in the working world arises partly from the above.

Another of my classmate, who was also Indian (thankfully, ‘cos I wouldn’t have survived alone), was called names such as “”blacky””, the usual “”you’re so dark I can’t see you in the photo””, “”do you get sun burns?””, “”why do you have such curly hair?”” etc. Many of these comments would stun Indians who have never experienced them. For example, this girl has the loveliest hair, was very pretty and had a gorgeous smile. I must admit, I did have a little crush on her when I first met her. Coming from an all-boy school, this was indeed refreshing. On a side note, most of the other classes did not have any Indians. I guess most Indians preferred to head to the other top JC where diversity was not much of an issue (if only I’d known this sooner).

I digress. So, I admired her tenacity and grit as she acted nonchalant, and occasionally defended herself. I mean when 18 students gang up against you, there’s only so much you can say and do. While I never partook in calling her names, I regret not having done more to defend, not just her, but Indians and minorities in general.

Part of the reason I did not was because I did not understand the issues at play. We are taught that there were race riots and that we live in a perfect utopia now, but that utopia cannot be tarnished by discourse. I now know that what she went through (and I) was more than just verbal abuse. It is a systemic bullying that is institutionalised and readily passed on from grandparents to parents, and now their children.

We do not have open and frank conversations about racism and discrimination. For starters, what is racism? Is it just about hating a particular race? I daresay, no! Sadly, many Singaporeans still think that their ignorance is not racism, their lack of trust, stereotypes of other races, are harmless. It is not. These very thought processes have led to the systemic marginalisation, prejudice, discrimination that Indians face later on in their lives (I’m sure Malays face these problems too, if not worse).

So when are we really gonna sit up and get real with ourselves? I watched Viola Davis’ Emmy acceptance speech and was wow-ed. In Singapore though, an Indian person could not have said that, and even if s/he did, s/he would not have gotten away with it.

I see everything much clearer now, and I hope more minorities, and the majority (sorry, but I have very low expectations of the majority), would stand up and make our voices heard.

Thank you for creating this platform. I apologise if I’ve touched on many issues (labels, diversity, SAP schools, ignorance, lack of discourse etc.), I just have too much I would like to say. Hope I have brought up some thought provoking points! ”

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Also keep the posts coming, the entire point to this platform is to touch on touchy issues, we’ll never be able to deal with them if we can’t talk about them!

Source: I’m Not Racist, But

September 27, 2015
Republic Of Singapore Navy Career Fair Presentation Purposely Clashed With Muslim Friday Prayer Timing?

What types of insulting move the Singapore Navy does to Discriminate Singapore Muslims?

One Example below, out of 7 days in a week Singapore Navy chooses to do Recruiting on Friday and specifically during Friday prayer!, which is why True Muslims cannot attend!

The reason it clashed with Friday Prayer timing. Registration starts at 12 noon! Career Presentation from 12.30pm till 2.30pm!

Is this one people , one nation , one Singapore LOGIC LOCALLY! Is it Fair?

Please Share so that more people can see the injustices done to us and the lies told! Regardless of Race, Language or Religion!

Source: MD Nur Mohideen

September 27, 2015
Zulfikar Shariff: Islam Is The Answer To Social Ills That Beset The Muslim Community Here

It is so predictable.

Whenever Muslims discuss discrimination in Singapore, whether hijab, SAF, leadership, madrasah etc, the government and its tools will tell us…

Focus on drugs, on high rate of divorce and other social problems that Muslims are involved in.

We will always be told not to spend our energy and efforts discussing and overcoming discrimination. Instead, we are told, either by the PAP (whether the Prime Minister of the Malay MPs) or its supporters that there are more important issues to work on.

Sure, drugs, divorce etc are important social issues. But working on one does not mean we should exclude working on another.

But what PAP supporters tend to ignore (whether intentional or unintentionally) is that these issues are interrelated.

First, as I have discussed before, drug, divorce and economic disempowerment are systemic problems. Part of the problems can be traced to the PAP’s policies from the 1960s onwards.

Second, and more importantly is that the solution to these social problems are found in the same place that drives us to work on the hijab, the madrasah and Muslim community leadership.

The ban on hijab, the attempt to shut down madrasah and the denial of an independent Muslim community leadership are based on political and religious imperatives.

The attempt to remove Islam from the Muslim community as can be seen in these discriminatory policies are also at the root of these social problems.

What the Muslim community need is not less Islam. We need more.

A community that is dedicated and committed to their Islam will not be involved in drugs.

They will not create social problems.

They will not misuse or abuse the amanah and talent that have been granted to them.

A community that is dedicated to Allah will excel. Not because they want to be rich or have power.

But so that they can better serve Allah azzawajal.

A community that lives in Islam will be strong not for strength sake…

But so they can help the ummah.

The solution to our social problems does not lie in programs that negate Islam from our lives.

The solution lies with Islam.

And that is also why we defend our sisters who wear the hijab.

Source: Zulfikar Shariff

September 27, 2015