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Student identified as suspect behind fake PMO webpage

SINGAPORE — A Singaporean student aged below 16 is suspected to be behind a fake Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) webpage that falsely announced the death of former Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew and which went viral on Wednesday.

SINGAPORE — A Singaporean student aged below 16 is suspected to be behind a fake Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) webpage that falsely announced the death of former Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew and which went viral on Wednesday.

Mr Lee, 91, remained critically ill for the third day running after his health deteriorated earlier this week. As well-wishers continued to trickle in to Singapore General Hospital (SGH) yesterday, the hospital set aside a space outside Block 7 — an area called the Quad — for people to place flowers and cards.

In a statement yesterday, the police said the suspect is believed to have operated alone. “Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect was believed to have modified an earlier 2010 PMO media statement hosted on the PMO website and subsequently sent out a photo of the modified content,” the police said.

The male youth is assisting the police with investigations for the offence of Access with Intent to Commit or Facilitate Commission of Offence, under the Computer Misuse and Cybersecurity Act. If found guilty, an offender could be fined up to S$50,000, jailed up to 10 years, or both.

The police said they were alerted to multiple messages containing images of the fake webpage being circulated at about 10.10pm on Wednesday. The messages fooled many, including several international media outlets, which erroneously tweeted news of Mr Lee’s death and broadcasted reports on their channels. CNN later corrected its report and deleted its tweet, while Hong Kong-based Phoenix New Media, which had issued an erroneous report, later apologised for making a “big mistake”. Chinese broadcaster CCTV deleted its erroneous tweet and issued a clarification on its official Weibo account.

The police said it managed to establish the suspect’s identity within 24 hours. Assistant Commissioner of Police Sekher Warrier, the Acting Director of the Criminal Investigation Department, advised members of the public not to spread falsehoods. “The police take a very stern view against anyone who doctors a government website to spread false information to deceive the public. Individuals who do so must be prepared to face the consequences under the law,” the police said.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong also thanked the public for their concern. Sharing a picture of him with his parents on his Facebook page, he said: “Thank you all for your good wishes and prayers for my father. I am deeply touched by them. Have been looking at some old photos from our family collection. So many happy memories over a lifetime.”

Former President S R Nathan, who was at SGH to see a doctor, told reporters: “I wish he will recover early and he has a few more years to him.”

By 8.30pm, at least 50 bouquets and assorted gifts had been left in the well-wishers’ space at SGH. Among those who left a note for Mr Lee Kuan Yew is 21-year-old Timothy Lee. The Temasek Polytechnic graduate, happened to be nearby and, on learning of the space, decided to come by to place a bouquet of flowers and a note. “Mr Lee Kuan Yew has contributed a lot to Singapore ... without him, Singapore will not be how he is today,” he said .

Mr Ethan Gan, 27, who works at the Migrant Workers’ Centre, placed a banner bearing good wishes from the centre’s staff of about 20.

Mr Ethen Ong, chief executive officer of social enterprise Positive Intensions, said his team spent two hours on Thursday gathering some 50-odd notes from members of the public along Orchard Road that they stuck onto boards and brought to SGH. “We need a platform to thank him and to support him,” he said.

When night fell, a visitor lit a candle and placed it in the area.

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