People's Voice leader Lim Tean has been issued a Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA) order over comments made during a Facebook "live" video posted on PV's Facebook page, and Lim's YouTube channel.

The Alternate Authority for the Minister for Education instructed POFMA Office to issue a correction direction.

According to government website Factually, Lim stated: “We spend a quarter of a billion dollars providing free education for foreigners every year.”

Factually clarified:

"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."

This is the second time in which the correction direction was issued by an alternate authority instead of a minister.

During an election period, ministers may appoint public officers to issue orders under POFMA.

Facebook was also issued a targeted correction direction by the alternate authority, said the POFMA office on June 29.

Lim was previously issued a Correction Direction on Dec. 16, 2019, for false statements on the same topic.

Image from Peoples Voice FB