Lim Tean and People's Voice issued POFMA notice

Singapore -- The Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA) issued its first set of correction directions in the 2020 General Elections on July 2. People’s Voice (PV) Secretary-General Lim Tean’s Youtube channel and PV's Facebook page were issued with the correction directions. This was due to a video uploaded on both these platforms containing a false statement with regards to government expenditure on foreign students. In the video uploaded on both platforms, Mr Lim was seen saying: "We spend a quarter of a billion dollars providing free education for foreigners every year." The government website Factually, corrected the statement on July 2, saying: "This is false and misleading. MOE does not spend a quarter of a billion dollars to provide free education for foreigners every year. While MOE spends about S$238 million on foreign students a year as stated in a parliamentary reply on August 5, 2019, the significant majority of these students are still required to pay fees higher than those of local students and/or fulfil a bond obligation after graduation." In 2019, Mr Lim was also issued a POFMA correction direction regarding the issue of government expenditure on foreign students. A few netizens came out in support of Mr Lim regarding the POFMA issue. [caption id="attachment_213680" align="alignnone" width="603"] Facebook screengrab[/caption] [caption id="attachment_213681" align="alignnone" width="600"] Facebook screengrab[/caption] However, some other netizens were adamant that Mr Lim will not be getting their support. [caption id="attachment_213682" align="alignnone" width="592"] Facebook screengrab[/caption] [caption id="attachment_213684" align="alignnone" width="593"] Facebook screengrab[/caption] Many also helped to explain why Mr Lim was issued the correction direction, clarifying the difference between what Mr Lim said and what the fact is. [caption id="attachment_213688" align="alignnone" width="598"] Facebook screengrab[/caption] [caption id="attachment_213687" align="alignnone" width="600"] Facebook screengrab[/caption] [caption id="attachment_213686" align="alignnone" width="606"] Facebook screengrab[/caption] [caption id="attachment_213689" align="alignnone" width="600"] Facebook screengrab[/caption] Other netizens raised problems regarding POFMA that went beyond just what Mr Lim said. [caption id="attachment_213690" align="alignnone" width="603"] Facebook screengrab[/caption] [caption id="attachment_213691" align="alignnone" width="600"] Facebook screengrab[/caption] Many also took away important information from the clarification made by Factually. [caption id="attachment_213692" align="alignnone" width="605"] Facebook screengrab[/caption] [caption id="attachment_213693" align="alignnone" width="609"] Facebook screengrab[/caption]