Question:
Mr Lim Biow Chuan: To ask the Minister for Home Affairs what actions are being taken to track down the originators of fake messages claiming a "partial lockdown" in Singapore and whether the culprits will be prosecuted once they are identified.
Answer:
1. The Police take a serious view of all reports of falsehoods regarding the COVID-19 situation, including those that claim “partial lockdowns”, as these may cause public alarm. The Police will investigate such cases and take firm action against the culprits.
2. For instance, Police identified a 40-year-old man who allegedly circulated a false message claiming that he had “intel” that the Government would close all coffee shops and food courts, and open supermarkets only two days a week. He urged readers to go “stock up” on items. The man was charged on 27 April 2020 for an offence of communicating a false message under the Miscellaneous Offences (Public Order and Nuisance) Act. This carries an imprisonment term of up to three years, a fine of up to S$10,000, or both.
