'Anonymous' threatens Singapore government in YouTube video

In a shockingly daring move, someone claiming to be part of the international hacker group Anonymous is threatening to disrupt key infrastructure in Singapore to protest against the government's new online media licensing rules.

In the 3-minute and 40-second YouTube video posted on 29 October, the group — using an image of a person wearing a Guy Fawkes mask — cautions the government not to underestimate them, saying their actions will be like "dipping yourselves in a pool of piranhas".

In response Thursday evening, a spokesperson from the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore said, "We are aware of the video, and the police are investigating into the matter."

In an encrypted voice, the person on the video made reference to "one of (the group's) comrades", "The Messiah", who recently broke into the Ang Mo Kio Town Council website, the PAP Community Foundation website as well as Sun Ho's official website on three separate instances.

"(The Messiah) demonstrated what a single Anon could do to your so-called technologically-advanced island," added the voice. It revealed that apart form protesting the implementation of the Media Development Authority's new licensing framework, the purpose of its "invasion" is to call on the government to "stop feigning ignorance and serve the people".

"Have you forgotten who you work for?" asked the voice, who called the licensing framework "ridiculous, communistic, oppressive and offensive".

"No government has the right to deprive their citizens the freedom of information," it continued. "We demand you reconsider the regulations of your framework or we will be forced to go to war with you," the group adds.

In the video, which was removed by its uploader by about 5:15pm, Anonymous also urged Singaporeans to join its protest by dressing in black and red on 5 November. Additionally, they asked Singaporeans to black out their Facebook profile pictures for the day.

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