MSF issues POFMA correction directions over falsehoods regarding financial aid rendered

The Minister for Social and Family Development, Masagos Zulkifli, has issued correction directions under the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA) to Leong Mun Wai, the Secretary General of the Progress Singapore Party (PSP), and alternative news platforms Gutzy Asia and The Online Citizen.

The orders were issued on Thursday (15 Feb) in response to false statements published regarding the extent of support provided to a couple facing financial hardship.

The issue originated from posts by Mr Leong on his social media on 12 February, which were later republished by the news websites. These posts inaccurately portrayed the government’s assistance to a couple in West Coast, prompting the Minister to direct the Pofma Office to issue correction orders.

Mr Leong claimed the couple received only a Home Caregiving Grant (HCG), overlooking other substantial aids.

Correcting this misinformation, the Ministry of Social and Family Development stated, “In reality, the couple has benefitted from a wide array of support, including monthly NTUC vouchers and Community Development Council Utilities Vouchers since early 2022, amounting to approximately $39,000 in various aids since 2021.”

Addressing another false assertion, the ministry clarified the situation regarding the woman’s MediSave account. Contrary to the claims of depleted funds, “the cost of the woman’s inpatient treatment, including her leg operation, was substantially covered, leaving her with a balance of more than $60,000 in her MediSave account, debunking the myth of financial exhaustion due to medical expenses.”

MSF added, “All of the woman’s outpatient physiotherapy sessions at NTFGH, which cost around $25 per session after Government subsidies, were also fully covered by MediFund. She did not have to pay any cash out-of-pocket for those sessions. She will continue to receive full MediFund assistance for her outpatient bills until June 2024, at which point her eligibility for MediFund will be re-assessed.”

As for the affordability of physiotherapy and transport cost assistance, the MSF corrected, “The man has been receiving subsidised medical escort and transport services from community care providers since 2021. When the woman fractured her ankle, the Silver Generation Office offered to refer her to subsidised medical escort and transport services, but she had declined the offer.”

The ministry also revealed the couple’s financial resilience, with over S$100,000 in their CPF Retirement Accounts and a S$5,000 lump sum CPF payout in April 2023, and detailed the regular assistance and care provided by a People’s Association officer.

In response to the correction directive and clarification from the ministry, Mr Leong retracted the misleading posts and issued an apology, stating, “I had a chat with a couple who had fallen on hard times…It was saddening, and I was drawn in. I spoke about their circumstances, not knowing that this may not be the full picture.”

He expressed his appreciation for the government’s efforts, “I’m thankful that the Government has given help to this couple, as their well-being is of the utmost importance. Accountability is important, and I hold myself accountable for the posts.”

Mr Leong has since removed the posts and complied with the correction directions.