Be careful of spreading fake news online because POFMA is always watching. – Reader Bao, 2020
If you haven’t noticed, the Pofma office has been really busy recently.
Shortly after dealing with States Times Review, they have now turned their attention to The Independent Singapore, a sociopolitical site in Singapore and Mr Gilbert Goh, an activist.
“HDB Evicts Single Mom With Six Kids”
If you’ve read this headline on Facebook, you’ll probably become the Hulk and start typing strong comments online.
How can HDB do this? What is Singapore coming to? Keeping the poor poorer while making the rich richer?!
And I’ll say that the Government fully deserves whatever comments you have for it…if it’s true.
POFMA Takes Action Against The Independent Singapore & Gilbert Goh
On 26 Feb 2020, it was reported that the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA) Office has issued correction notices against The Independent Singapore (TISG) website and activist Gilbert Goh.
The correction notices were issued against two Facebook posts and an article claiming that a Singaporean single mother was evicted by HDB.
What Happened
On 19 Feb, activist Gilbert Goh shared a story about a single-mother, Lina, who was kicked out of her government rental flat.
On 21 Feb, TISG picked up on his post and wrote an article with inputs from him.
Couldn’t Pay Rent, Need Help With EZ-Link Card Top Ups
According to the article published, Lina and her kids were allegedly kicked out of their home because they couldn’t keep up with rent.
She allegedly needs help with food rations and used her savings to top up her children’s EZ-Link card.
Mr Gilbert Goh claimed that he has helped her “a few years back” after her husband left.
And that her “situation seems to be regressing (worsening)”.
POFMA Says That’s Fake News
The Ministry of National Development (MND) said that the article is “entirely false”.
They’ve clarified the following:
Family Wasn’t Kicked Out
They claimed that Lina and her family did not have any overdue rent payment during their tenancy with HDB.
It was Lina’s husband who terminated the tenancy and returned the keys in Feb 2020.
Family Moved Into A New HDB Flat
They also added that Lina and her family have moved into a new HDB flat which was “completely paid for”.
Wah, this could possibly be the first time I read about an HDB flat that’s “completely paid for” seh.
In TISG’s article, it was claimed that the family were seeking shelter at Lina’s sister’s house.
Family Is Receiving Assistance
It was also clarified that Lina and her family are receiving help from various agencies.
These include the Ministry of Social Development (MSF), the Ministry of Education (MOE), the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA), HDB and the Sembawang Family Service Centre.
The Aftermath
TISG immediately added the correction notice to their Facebook post and article.
Meanwhile, activist Gilbert Goh has apologised to MND and lodged a police report against the person he had helped.
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He added that because they had helped the family in the past, they did not verify the matter “carefully”.
Looking to Donate?
Previously, we wrote about this website set up by the government to “rally Singaporeans” into giving to the less fortunate.
If you’re looking to give time and money to the needy, why not try this instead.
Furthermore, if you noticed a neglected segment of people within Singapore that really needs help, you can make a ground-up initiative with the help of the government on this website too.
