Former President SR Nathan called Internet trolls "pasang kaki" (Malay meaning for tripping someone).

But The New Paper deserves to be called the "pasang kaki" for its attempt to trip ex-President Nathan and get a good quote.

Below are three attempts on how TNP attempted to use the ex-President as a flamebait:

First, TNP tweeted the story without context:

Former President S R Nathan: On how to deal with Internet trolls who think they know it all... http://t.co/dEnpLFNn0K pic.twitter.com/8xbuVGsfTb

— The New Paper (@thenewpaper) February 2, 2015

Basically, TNP chose the most sensational statement from the former President without context. Nathan was referring to people in general and the smart alecks who knew it all.

In fact, they could have used the article's introduction as a more responsible tweet, "Former president S R Nathan talks about social media trolls and how to deal with them".

Second, the awkward video interview to coax the ex-President to say something about Internet trolls. 

How awkward? 4 seconds of awkwardness with former President Nathan and the TNP reporter saying okay to each other.

Check out the rather awkward interview here.

And where was the TNP reporter going with her line of questioning about Internet trolls?

TNP reporter: Can you talk a bit more about...how just now the example somebody asking PM Lee on the Q& A session about how you mention the Malay phrase that there will always be people like that?

Nathan: "You must remember that PM is a politician. And he has got to explain to the audiences if it is not true. So he needs the opportunity to rebut such arguments, falsehoods.

TNP reporter: Okay...but in a way whether you are saying that there are newspapers or no newspapers, there is always a certain group of people out there who are out to discredit people..

Nathan: "No, nothing new. Ever since the world was born, there is somebody discrediting somebody else. I mean, so it doesn't mean the newspaper or social media or what.

Third, ex-President Nathan's views on the new media are in fact more measured and balanced than the TNP story.

The TNP story focused on how ex-President Nathan viewed the new media negatively:

"In social media, you write what you and I have spoken, you press the button, it gets to 1,000 people! It's irresponsible. For instance, in a character assassination, if one does that and is anonymous, do you know how much damage he would have done?"

Below is an excerpt from his book

Interviewee: So, broadly, you would take the view that the new information age has been a plus as much as a minus?

"It depends on how it's used...But I fear many seem to be more focused on its entertainment possibility, or in personal abuse of one kind or another, calling people names, highlighting their failings."

"I'm not criticising everyone who writes in the social media - some of them are responsible and genuinely believe what they are saying is for the good. I concede that. But for some, it's a kind of sport. 'He's wallopping so-and so, I'm very happy, I'll join in.' This is a new phenomenon and the technology is changing so fast that you can't keep pace with it...There is also solid stuff on the Internet, and some good entertainment, and maybe people will be more attracted to that."

Guess this is what ex-President Nathan has to endure to promote his new book, In Conversation.

Two weeks ago, our 90-year old ex-President sat through a public book-signing session at Times bookstore at Tampines One.

Luckily, we don't think the ex President is going to be too bothered with all this brouhaha. His parting words to TNP on why he was not on social media:

"Now, I don't need the youth's attention. I don't have much time left. I'm 90 years old."

Top photo from here.

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