Terry Xu & TOC publisher issued POFMA order over Attorney-General appointment article

A Correction Direction under the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulations Act 2019 (POFMA) has been issued to The Online Citizen's (TOC) chief editor, Terry Xu and its Taiwanese publisher, Miao Yi Infotech.

According to a Mar. 23 press release, the Correction Direction was instructed by Minister for Law and Second Minister for Home Affairs, Edwin Tong.

This regards the publishing of false statements concerning the re-appointment of the Attorney-General (AG) Lucien Wong on Mar. 9, 2026.

The falsehoods were posted to TOC's website, AI-driven media platform Heidoh, Facebook and Instagram.

Three main falsehoods

Xu and Miao Yi Infotech are required to publish correction notices on the affected platforms as well as in The Straits Times.

According to MinLaw's press release, "these notices will state that the content communicated false statements of fact, and provide a link to the government's clarification".

The ministry took issue with three main falsehoods in TOC's article.

1. AG Wong has not recused himself from acting on matters related to the compulsory acquisition of 38 Oxley Road.
2. During the Committee of Supply (COS) debate on Mar. 2, 2026, Sylvia Lim was not permitted to raise any follow-up questions on the AG’s re-appointment process.
3. The Constitution provides for the AG to retire at age 60 without any qualification or proviso, but the Prime Minister has appointed AG Wong until he is 75.

Recused himself from 38 Oxley Road

The government said AG Wong had recused himself and did not act on matters regarding 38 Oxley Road and its compulsory acquisition.

This was stated in parliament on Jul. 3 to 4, 2017.

Sylvia Lim allowed to raise follow-up questions

The government said Lim was allowed to raise follow-up questions on the re-appointment process of AG Wong during the COS debate on Feb. 27, 2026.

Tong responded to Lim's questions on Mar. 2.

The government also noted the time limit on COS debates and Lim's October 2025 filing and withdrawal of a parliamentary question regarding AG Wong's reappointment.

"She then chose to ask questions about the AG’s re-appointment during the COS debates, under the well-established procedure and time limits for such debates."

AG Wong's re-appointment age constitutional

Noting that the Singapore Constitution allows AG appointments of individuals beyond 60 years of age, the ministry said that under the Constitution, it is the President, not the Prime Minister, who appoints or re-appoints the AG.

The ministry also noted that the process for appointing and re-appointing the AG in Singapore is laid out in Article 35 of the Constitution.

AG Wong

Wong served as AG since Jan. 17, 2017.

He was re-appointed for further three-year terms in 2020, 2023 and 2026.

Before he was appointed AG, Wong was a partner at Allen & Gledhill from 1987 to 1998 and managing partner of the firm from 1998 to 2012.

He became chairman and senior partner at Allen & Gledhill in 2012.

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Top photo from Terry Xu and TOC