POFMA office issues correction directions on statements relating to Ho Ching's salary

Temasek Holdings CEO Ho Ching
Temasek Holdings CEO Ho Ching

SINGAPORE – Minister for Finance Heng Swee Keat has directed the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA) office to issue four correction directions relating to false statements made online regarding the remuneration of Temasek Holdings Chief Executive Director Ho Ching.

The statements had speculated – falsely – that Ho, who is the wife of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and also Temasek’s Executive Director, earns S$100 million annually.

In a media release on Sunday (19 April), the POFMA office said that the correction directions are to be issued to:

  • HardwareZone user “darksiedluv”

  • The Temasek Review's Facebook page

  • The Online Citizen's Facebook page and website

  • Local lawyer and opposition politician Lim Tean, who shared the falsehood on his Facebook page – including this incident, Lim has been issued at least three such correction directions

These four parties are required to place a correction notice at the top of their posts, as well as a link to Factually, the government fact-checking website.

Temasek denies Ho Ching salary claims

Earlier on Sunday, Temasek had issued a rare statement saying, “This claim is false.”

“Furthermore, Ho Ching’s annual compensation is neither the highest within Temasek, nor is she among the top five highest paid executives in Temasek,” it said.

Additionally on Factually, the government said that it does not set the remuneration of staff in Temasek.

“This is the responsibility of its board and management. The government holds the board responsible for the long-term performance of its investments, net of expenses.”

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