Leong Mun Wai issued POFMA order over false claims about lack of financial aid for West Coast residents

The Progress Singapore Party chief made several claims that were republished by The Online Citizen and Gutzy Asia.

Progress Singapore Party Secretary-General Leong Mun Wai speaking at a press conference on May 27, 2023. (Photo: TODAY/Leonard Leong)

SINGAPORE: A correction direction was issued to Non-Constituency MP Leong Mun Wai on Thursday (Feb 15) over false claims he made about the lack of financial aid given to a couple staying in West Coast.

Minister for Social and Family Development Masagos Zulkifli instructed the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA) Office to issue the order to Mr Leong.

Notices were also sent to Gutzy Asia and The Online Citizen, who had republished the false statements.

Mr Leong, Gutzy Asia and The Online Citizen are required to carry a correction notice on the original post, with a link to the government's clarification.

Checks by CNA on Friday morning showed that Gutzy Asia and The Online Citizen had complied with the correction direction. Meanwhile, Mr Leong's posts have been deleted from his Facebook and Instagram pages, although a correction notice has been posted on both pages.

In Mr Leong's Facebook post on Feb 12, he made several claims about the couple's financial aid situation and MediSave funds. 

He had also identified the 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman in a photograph accompanying the post, said the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF).

On Feb 13, Gutzy Asia published an article based on Mr Leong's post and The Online Citizen shared the link on Facebook.

ASSISTANCE FOR DAILY EXPENSES

Mr Leong had falsely claimed that the couple only receives a Home Caregiving Grant and that they do not currently receive any other form of financial assistance from public sector agencies for their daily expenses, said MSF.

In truth, the couple have also been receiving financial assistance each month in the form of NTUC vouchers from the People’s Association and utilities vouchers from the Community Development Council. These started in February and March 2022 respectively, noted MSF.

They also receive S$300 (US$223) in cash each month from a temple, the Ministry added. In total, the couple currently receive a total of around S$830 per month in cash and vouchers.

"Since 2021, the couple have received approximately S$39,000 in cash and vouchers from various public sector agencies and community partners. This included S$21,000 in ComCare assistance from May 2021 to April 2023," said MSF.

The couple currently have more than $S100,000 in total in both their CPF Retirement Accounts. In April 2023, the woman withdrew S$5,000 from her account.

MEDISAVE AND TRANSPORT

Mr Leong had claimed that the woman's Medisave savings were "substantially depleted" after a leg operation. He also claimed that she stopped attending physiotherapy sessions because she had to pay S$100 for each session.

The woman was admitted to Ng Teng Fong General Hospital for an operation on her fractured ankle from Jun 20 to Jun 23 in 2023, racking up a hospital bill of about S$8,580.

After government subsidies, MediShield Life and MediSave, her remaining bill amount was about S$240, said MSF. She had more than S$60,000 left in her MediSave account after that withdrawal, and still has more than S60,000 in her MediSave account as of Feb 12.

Additionally, the outpatient physiotherapy sessions at the same hospital had cost S$25 per session after government subsidies and were fully covered by MediFund, said MSF, adding that the woman did not have to pay any cash out-of-pocket.

"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."

Another false claim was that the couple had applied to a public sector agency for assistance with their transport costs, but their application was rejected.

In truth, the couple has received public transport vouchers in the current and past two Public Transport Voucher exercises.

"The man has been receiving subsidised medical escort and transport services from community care providers since 2021," said MSF.

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.

An officer from the People’s Association also visits the couple regularly, and had ferried them for hospital visits, bought meals for them when they could not leave their house, and helped them run errands, MSF added.

"False statements, such as those made in Leong’s posts, erode public trust and mislead the public about the support that is available and provided to families who are in need," said MSF.

Source: CNA/nh(rj)

This article was originally published on Channel News Asia. Its inclusion on this website is solely for education purposes.