In a recent development, The Online Citizen (TOC) has been mandated to issue a correction notice regarding an article published on its website on February 14 that contained false information about the rental and renovation work at 26 Ridout Road. This directive falls under the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA) and was announced by the Ministry of Law on Tuesday, February 25. Additionally, TOC is required to post similar correction notices on its Facebook and X posts that shared the article. Moreover, a correction order was also directed to the YouTube channel Twenty Two Thirty for a video released on February 16 concerning 26 Ridout Road.
This incident is not the first instance where TOC has disseminated inaccurate details about the rental of historical black-and-white colonial bungalows at 26 and 31 Ridout Road. Notably, Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam resides at 26 Ridout Road while Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan occupies 31 Ridout Road. The government’s fact-checking website, Factually, revealed that TOC had previously received a correction direction on February 18, 2024. Despite this warning, TOC has continued to make unfounded claims of misconduct by ministers, the Singapore Land Authority (SLA), and other public entities.
During a parliamentary debate in July 2023, the then-Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong reiterated that both Mr. Shanmugam and Dr. Balakrishnan had not breached any rules in their tenancy agreements at the two Ridout Road properties. Investigations conducted by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) did not uncover any evidence of illegal activity or preferential treatment towards the ministers. Furthermore, a report by Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean confirmed that both ministers had conducted themselves appropriately during the rental transactions and had taken necessary steps to prevent any conflicts of interest.
Unraveling the Falsehoods
Factually, a government-backed website, expanded on the inaccuracies propagated by TOC and Twenty Two Thirty regarding 26 Ridout Road. The publications painted a misleading image of the rental arrangements and renovation work at the property by conveying several falsehoods. Among the misrepresented claims were assertions that the SLA assured Mr. Shanmugam of extending the lease at 26 Ridout Road beyond its 2027 expiration date and that public funds were utilized for earthworks at the site since 2024.
Contrary to these claims, Factually clarified that the SLA did not promise Mr. Shanmugam a lease extension beyond the stipulated term ending in 2027. Typically, residential state properties are leased for two or three-year periods, with the potential for renewal every three years up to a maximum of nine years. The renewal process is subject to various conditions, including market dynamics and the government’s plans for the property. The tenancy at 26 Ridout Road was renewed for a third three-year term from June 2024 to June 2027 in adherence to SLA’s guidelines, with no undisclosed extensions promised.
Ensuring Compliance and Approval
Further clarifying the situation, Factually highlighted that the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) had ensured that all necessary approvals were obtained for the renovation work at 26 Ridout Road. Specifically, URA’s approval is mandated for works impacting conserved buildings or exceeding 10% of the property’s gross floor area. To streamline the approval process, URA and SLA have established pre-approved works that only necessitate SLA’s in-principle agreement.
Moreover, tenants must secure clearances from relevant technical agencies like BCA for specific types of work. Notably, the installation of a swimming pool at 26 Ridout Road in 2018 did not require URA’s approval since it was external to the conserved building. Similarly, BCA’s endorsement was not essential for the pool installation as it fell under the category of “insignificant building works.”
To ensure transparency and compliance, SLA, as the landlord, undertook structural repairs at the property in 2018 and 2024/2025, with all necessary approvals obtained. The costs of these structural enhancements were borne by SLA to maintain the property’s heritage value and ensure safe occupancy. It is crucial to note that no public funds were utilized for the renovation or improvement works at 26 Ridout Road since 2024.
In conclusion, Factually emphasized the importance of upholding integrity in governance and urged the public to scrutinize information from sources like TOC, known for disseminating misleading narratives. Amidst the evolving digital landscape, maintaining accuracy and accountability remains a collective responsibility to safeguard public trust and institutional credibility.
