Singapore declares Kenneth Jeyaretnam's online platforms as Declared Online Locations under POFMA law

The Singaporean Government, under the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (Pofma), has designated multiple online platforms associated with opposition politician Kenneth Jeyaretnam as Declared Online Locations (DOLs).

This action comes in response to what the Ministry of Communications and Information (MCI) describes as a history of disseminating false information by Mr Jeyaretnam on these platforms.

The affected online locations include Jeyaretnam's website, The Ricebowl Singapore (TRS), and his accounts on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and 'X' (formerly known as Twitter).

Beginning 12 December, for a period of two years, these platforms are required to display a notice indicating their status as DOLs, warning visitors of the alleged history of communicating falsehoods by Mr Jeyaretnam, the secretary-general of the Reform Party.

The MCI's declaration follows several instances where Mr Jeyaretnam was served with Pofma correction directions, specifically on 16 July, 2 August, 22 August, 30 August, and 2 November.

The MCI claims that Mr Jeyaretnam has made and shared multiple false claims regarding various government policies and processes, including fiscal and manpower policies, as well as investigation practices of the Singapore Police Force and the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau, and state property rentals.

Under Pofma, an online platform can be declared a DOL if it disseminates three or more different false statements of fact that have been subject to Pofma directions within a six-month period.

The act prohibits operators of these DOLs from deriving financial or any other material benefit from them. Violations can result in severe penalties, including fines of up to S$40,000 or imprisonment for individuals and fines up to S$500,000 for companies.

Additionally, service providers, such as digital advertising agencies, are mandated to ensure that their paid content is not available on these DOLs in Singapore.

The public and companies are advised against financially supporting these platforms if it involves promoting falsehoods in Singapore, as they may face similar penalties to those imposed on operators for violations.

The Online Citizen Asia (TOC) has also been subjected to similar measures, with its website and social media accounts declared DOLs from 22 July 2023 to 21 July 2025.

The government can order internet intermediaries to disable access to a DOL if the owner does not comply with the declaration. Failure to comply can lead to fines of up to S$20,000 per day, capping at S$500,000.

Operators or editors of DOLs have the right to apply to the MCI to vary or cancel the declaration. Should the minister refuse the application, an appeal can be made to the High Court, though it might be considered largely ineffectual given the current wording of the law.

In response to this declaration, Mr Jeyaretnam has shared news articles about the event, referencing the name "Barbra Streisand."  This alludes to the Streisand effect, a phenomenon where attempts to hide or censor information paradoxically increase awareness of that information.

Mr Jeyaretnam has been in the spotlight this year for raising the issue of Ridout Road rentals involving Ministers K Shanmugam and Vivian Balakrishnan, which led to a parliamentary session where members of the People's Action Party defended the two ministers.