Kenneth Jeyaretnam issued Pofma order over false claims on hiring of foreign auxiliary police officers

Opposition politician Kenneth Jeyaretnam has been issued a correction direction under Singapore's fake news law over false statements he made online about the hiring of foreign auxiliary police officers (APOs).

In a statement on March 21, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said the false statements were in an article on Mr Jeyaretnam's website The Ricebowl Singapore and posts on Facebook and X, all on March 9. It was the Reform Party leader's 10th correction direction, according to the ministry.

According to MHA, Mr Jeyaretnam made the following false statements:

• APOs have all the powers of regular police officers.
• Foreign APOs are employed by the Government and are used to keep the ruling PAP in power. This is to the extent of violating Singapore's Constitution, and using force in breach of fundamental liberties.
• The Government deliberately sets the salaries of APOs at a level less attractive to Singaporeans in order to hire foreign APOs, which is its preference and real objective.

APOs do not have all the powers of regular police officers, MHA said, referring to a notification in the Government Gazette on the powers, privileges and immunities of auxiliary officers.

In particular, APOs do not have the powers of investigation that police officers have under the Criminal Procedure Code. Also, auxiliary police officers have the power of arrest only under certain conditions that police officers are not subject to. APOs can exercise their powers only when on duty, MHA added.

Also, APOs are hired by auxiliary police forces, not the Government, MHA said. The security services that auxiliary police forces can provide are carefully defined by the Singapore Police Force, and all APOs must follow Singapore's laws, including the Constitution and those about fundamental liberties.

In addition, the ministry said auxiliary police forces, not the Government, set the salaries of such officers. The Government is not part of and does not influence any union or group that has a say on their salaries.

"As at end-January 2025, Singaporeans continue to make up the majority of APOs employed. The proportion of APOs from the new foreign sources - (that is) China, India, Myanmar, Philippines, and Sri Lanka - remains very low, at around 3 per cent," MHA said.

Digital Development and Information Minister Josephine Teo, who is also the Second Minister for Home Affairs, instructed the Pofma Office to issue the correction direction to Mr Jeyaretnam.

In addition to adding correction notices to his article and related social media posts, Mr Jeyaretnam is also required to include a link to the Government's clarification.