Three, including Lim Tean, ordered to correct Facebook posts about Safra Jurong dinner linked to Covid-19 cases

SINGAPORE — Three individuals, including opposition member Lim Tean, have been ordered to correct false statements that they posted or shared on Facebook about a dinner event at Safra Jurong club.

The Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (Pofma) Office said in a statement on Wednesday (March 18) that it had been instructed by Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing to issue correction directions to Facebook users "Henryace Ace", Mr Sebastian Ying and Mr Lim.

Mr Chan is also the Minister-in-charge of the People’s Association (PA). 

The three had shared several false statements on Facebook, claiming that PA or residents’ committees (RCs), or both, were involved in organising the dinner event at Safra Jurong on Feb 15.

Earlier this month, MOH identified a new cluster after several of the event participants at Safra Jurong were found to have Covid-19. The cluster is now the largest one here with 47 Covid-19 cases traced to it. The dinner was held at the Joy Garden Restaurant in the club and one of the details that emerged later was that attendees were involved in singing activities and classes conducted by PA at several RCs and community clubs (CCs). 

The Pofma Office said that for facts of the case, members of the public should refer to an article on the website Factually, titled “Corrections and Clarifications regarding falsehoods that dinner event at Safra Jurong was organised by People’s Association”.

The article states that PA and the RCs were not involved in the organisation of the dinner event and they were not in a position to cancel it. 

PA and the RCs also did not fund or publicise the dinner event, which was a private dinner function organised by a singing instructor for members of her singing groups, the article added. 

A correction direction requires the recipient to publish a correction notice, providing access to the correct facts. It also requires the recipient to state that the statement is false, and where the false statement can be found.

The direction does not require the recipient to take down their post or make edits to their content and does not impose criminal sanctions.

TODAY has reached out to Mr Lim and the other two Facebook users for comment.