The Online Citizen & Twenty Two Thirty Youtube channel issued POFMA for false claims about 26 Ridout Road

Socio-political website The Online Citizen (TOC) and YouTube channel Twenty Two Thirty have been issued a correction direction under the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA).

According to a press release on Feb. 25, the Ministry of Law (MinLaw) said that the order comes after the two parties had published false statements about the rental and works being carried out at 26 Ridout Road on Feb. 14 and 16, 2025.

Required to publish correction notices on their content

In the press release, MinLaw noted that TOC had published one article on Feb. 14, which was shared on its Facebook and X social media accounts.

Twenty Two Thirty posted a video on its YouTube channel on Feb. 16.

According to the government's Factually website, both publications had made false claims, including one which stated that the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) has given Minister for Home Affairs and Law K Shanmugam "assurances" for 26 Ridout Road's lease extension beyond 2027.

The article and video also alleged that the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) did not ensure that all requisite approvals had been obtained for works carried out at the location.

Both publications also claimed that public funds were used to pay for "earthworks" conducted since 2024.

"The publications have distorted the facts by making baseless assertions and omitted key facts which are publicly available," said the government.

Under the direction, both TOC and Twenty Two Thirty are required to publish correction notices on their respective original publications to state that their content communicated false statements of fact, along with a link to the government's clarification.

Refuting the false claims

The Factually article has refuted the false claims made by both parties.

It stated that SLA did not assure Shanmugam a further lease extension, as tenancies for residential state properties run on two or three-year terms.

This comes with a maximum initial agreement of renewal every three years, up to a total of nine years.

Renewals are also based on prevailing market conditions, unless the government has other plans for the site or the tenant has a poor track record.

The property was previously renewed for a third three-year term from June 2024 till June 2027.

SLA also permits tenants to carry out improvement works on their property but would also advise them to consider the remaining timeframe when carrying out works.

The government also confirmed that all requisite approvals had been obtained for the works at 26 Ridout Road from URA and BCA since 2024.

Although there are pre-authorised works that do not require further approval, tenants must still obtain clearance from relevant technical agencies such as BCA where necessary.

The works consisted of a swimming pool installation and structural works, such as repairs to timber parts, doors and windows.

All approvals were granted between 2018 and 2024.

No public funds were used to pay for the earthworks as all costs were fully borne by the tenant at 26 Ridout Road, said the government.

Top photos via The Online Citizen/Facebook & Google Maps