Minister for Home Affairs instructs Pofma Office to issue correction direction to The Temasek Review Facebook page
Minister for Home Affairs K Shanmugam has instructed the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (Pofma) Office to issue a correction direction to The Temasek Review (TTR) Facebook page.
SINGAPORE — Minister for Home Affairs K Shanmugam has instructed the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (Pofma) Office to issue a correction direction to The Temasek Review (TTR) Facebook page over a post alleging that police officers fined a food delivery rider for wearing a piece of cloth as a mask or for illegal parking.
The Pofma office said in a statement on Friday (April 17) that TTR posted a picture of a GrabFood delivery rider standing next to a police officer on its Facebook page on Wednesday.
Accompanying the picture, which showed the police officer writing something down, was the caption: “Grabfood delivery rider issued summon by SPF officers of fine of S$300 for alleged wearing cloth as mask or illegal parking?”
The Pofma office said that allegation was false and the police officers were rendering assistance to the delivery rider who had approached them for help.
The GrabFood delivery rider thought that items were stolen from his motorcycle and approached the police officers for help, it said.
It added that the police officer in the picture was taking a statement from the delivery rider.
“No summons were issued to the delivery rider and the event had nothing to do with the circuit breaker measures or illegal parking,” the Pofma office said.
The Pofma office added that such allegations are “highly irresponsible and hurt public confidence and trust in the police”.
“It also undermines our officers, who are at the frontlines trying to keep Singaporeans safe and secure during this challenging period. Let us stand united, instead of sowing division and discord,” it said.
The Pofma office also clarified that under the Covid-19 (Temporary Measures)(Control Order) Regulations 2020, masks made of cloth and textile are permitted.
It also advised members of the public not to speculate and spread unfounded rumours.
