Internet curbs for public servants about finding the ‘right balance’: PM Lee Hsien Loong
(Photo: Associated Press)
The move to restrict Internet access on public servants’ computers was something the Singapore government had “put off for as long as possible”, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Thursday (9 June).
Stressing the need to find the “right balance”, Lee said he was “volunteer number one” when it came to testing out the new system, which now involves him using two separate computer systems and is aimed at protecting sensitive data from cyber threats.
According to a TODAYonline report, the premier called the Internet the “wild wild west” and said that he was initially reluctant to take up the trial but was convinced by his security team that it was a “serious matter”.
Lee, who was speaking to the Singapore media while wrapping up his official visit to Myanmar, admitted that he found the new way of working a nuisance at first but feels that the move is ultimately “workable”.
“If we make our system so secure that it becomes a bother to you, then civil servants will either stop working or find some way around it,” he said.
On Wednesday (8 June), the Infocomm Development Authority (IDA) of Singapore said that public service officers across all government agencies, ministries and statutory boards will have Internet access “separate” from their work computers by May 2017. The move has since drawn public criticism.
