Kenneth Jeyaretnam Faces His 10th POFMA Correction Over False Claims on Foreign Auxiliary Police Officers

SINGAPORE: Kenneth Jeyaretnam, the leader of the Reform Party, has been issued his 10th correction directive under the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA) as of March 21. The decision was made by Minister for Digital Development and Information, Josephine Teo, in response to claims made in a March 9 article on Jeyaretnam's website, The Ricebowl Singapore, as well as posts on his Facebook and X social media accounts.

The controversial politician alleged that foreign auxiliary police officers (APOs) possess the same authority as regular police officers and are employed by the government to maintain political power for the People’s Action Party (PAP). He claimed that this practice breaches the Constitution of Singapore and compromises fundamental liberties, further arguing that the government intentionally sets the salaries of APOs to attract fewer Singaporean candidates, thereby pushing for foreign hires.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) immediately refuted Jeyaretnam’s assertions, clarifying that APOs do not have the same powers as regular police. According to the Police Force Act of 2004, the commissioner of police confers specific powers to APOs, and their authority to arrest is contingent upon official duties. The MHA emphasized that all APOs, regardless of their nationality, are employed by auxiliary police forces (APFs), which operate independently of the government and under strict regulations set by the Singapore Police Force (SPF).

Moreover, the ministry highlighted that the government does not control APO salaries, stating that these are determined by the APFs and that Singaporeans make up the majority of APO employment. The current representation of foreign APOs from countries such as China, India, Myanmar, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka remains only about 3%.

This latest correction order adds to Jeyaretnam’s history of being issued POFMA directives, with the ninth order coming just days before on March 14. This previous order was related to claims that the government utilizes its control over land supply and immigration to inflate property prices, an assertion that was similarly dismissed by authorities.

As of December 2023, Jeyaretnam's online platforms have been designated as “Declared Online Locations” under POFMA until December 11, 2025. This means that he is now legally required to include official correction notices on all related posts.

Despite these ongoing issues and accumulated directives, Jeyaretnam remains based overseas and has not returned to Singapore to address the legal challenges raised against him. Observers anticipate that this situation will further escalate, with implications not only for Jeyaretnam, but also for the broader political landscape in Singapore as discussions regarding misinformation and online accountability intensify.

To stay updated on this evolving story, make sure to check the government’s Factually website, which provides official clarifications and facts regarding such claims.