A correction order has been issued to activist Gilbert Goh for a Facebook post that created the impression that the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) and other organizations did not offer immediate assistance to a woman.
Under the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA), the order was issued on Thursday, May 12th .
MSF stated in a press statement that on April 24th, Goh shared on Facebook an appeal that he had allegedly received from the woman.
According to him, the woman known to MSF as "Mdm A" had "no one (she) can turn to" for aid and required immediate financial support for herself and her companion, as well as adult diapers, transportation, and food.
MSF stated, "The false assertion in Goh's tweet gives the impression that MSF and other organizations are unaware of Mdm A's situation or are doing nothing about it."
"This is not the case, and it is essential to clarify the facts."
Such false statements undermine public confidence and lead to misunderstandings regarding the care and assistance offered to poor families by MSF and other agencies.
Goh has subsequently added a clarification to his Facebook post.
MSF stated that the woman has received monthly ComCare support from MSF without disruption since June 2015.
Her monthly payment was raised beginning this month.
Since June 2015, her spouse has received ComCare help for various periods, according to MSF. His final phase of help lasted from October 2021 until March 2022. It was renewed to September 2022 from April.
Mdm A and her partner also receive financial and non-financial assistance from a number of other organizations and community partners, including the Agency for Integrated Care, MUIS (Islamic Religious Council of Singapore), Tan Tock Seng Hospital, THK Family Service Centre @ MacPherson, and Home Nursing Foundation.
The support includes cash, rental assistance, support for service and conservation costs, assistance with utilities, and Public Healthcare Assistance.
MSF stated that the monthly support that Ms. A and her partner are presently getting from MSF and other agencies exceeds $2,000.
Before the Facebook post was published, Ms. A had not requested more assistance from MSF.
A correction order was given to Goh two years ago for a Facebook post claiming that a single mother had been evicted from her apartment for defaulting on rent.
In December of last year, he was accused with staging an unpermitted protest and refused to sign a police statement.
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