Since the controversy emerged, opposition figures and independent media outlets have received correction orders under POFMA to “correct” what they posted or published online. The investigation into the matter has raised many doubts about its transparency354. Given that POFMA grants the government sole authority to police content without clear criteria, this has fuelled controversy over whether the law is intended to protect the interests of the government and the ruling party. Jeyaretnam received his first POFMA order over the Ridout Road allegation in July 2023355, a second in August that year 356 , and more in subsequent years 357, 358, 359 . Jom, an independent weekly magazine in Singapore, was also issued two POFMA orders in July 2023 for its reporting on the issue. Although it complied with the correction directive, the magazine’s December 2023 explanation provides insights into how the state can interpret messages to serve its interests360. In 2024, independent media outlets Gutzy Asia and The Online Citizen (TOC) were also issued correction orders for their reports on the Ridout Road controversy361. Following the Ridout-related POFMA order and previous POFMA actions against it, Gutzy Asia was later declared a Declared Online Location (DOL)362. TOC had already been declared a DOL in 2023363. Nehal, Harpreet Singh. “Strengthening the Singapore System: The Ridout Saga and Conflicts of Interest.” Jom, 26 May 2023, www.jom.media/strengthening-the-singapore-system-the-ridout-saga-andconflicts-of-interest. 355. “POFMA Correction Directions Issued to Kenneth Jeyaretnam, Online Publication Jom Over Ridout Road Articles.” CNA, 16 July 2023, www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/ridout-road-pofma-orders-kennethjeyaretnam-thamil-selvan-jom-false-statements-3632036. 356. Tham, Ashley. “Kenneth Jeyaretnam Issued Second POFMA Order Over Comments on Ridout Road Rentals.” CNA, 3 Aug. 2023, www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/kenneth-jeyaretnam-pofmaridout-road-rental-3672951. 357. Li, Winnie. ���Kenneth Jeyaretnam Issued Fifth POFMA Order Over Claims on Reserves, Ridout Road, HDB Prices & Healthcare Expenditure.” Mothership, 3 Nov. 2023, mothership.sg/2023/11/kennethjeyaretnam-fifth-pofma. 358. “Kenneth Jeyaretnam Issued Sixth POFMA Direction Over Ridout Road Saga.” Gutzy Asia, 19 Feb. 2024, gutzy.asia/2024/02/19/kenneth-jeyaretnam-issued-6th-pofma-direction-over-ridout-road-saga. 359. “POFMA Issues 8th Correction Direction to Kenneth Jeyaretnam Over Ridout Road FB Post.” The Online Citizen, 4 July 2024, www.theonlinecitizen.com/2024/07/04/pofma-issues-8th-correctiondirection-to-kenneth-jeyaretnam-over-ridout-road-fb-post. 360. Vadaketh, Sudhir. “POFMA Fail: The End of Our Journey.” Jom, 1 Dec. 2023, www.jom.media/pofmafail-the-end-of-our-journey. 361. “Correction Regarding a Falsehood in Article and Posts Published by Mr Kenneth Jeyaretnam on 16 February 2024 and Republished by Gutzy Asia and The Online Citizen Asia.” Factually.gov.sg, 18 Feb. 2024, www.factually.gov.sg/corrections-and-clarifications/factually180224. 362. “Gutzy Asia Handed POFMA Restrictions Over ‘Multiple Falsehoods.’” CNA, 11 June 2024, www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/gutzy-asia-handed-pofma-restrictions-over-multiple-falsehoods-5583136. 363. “POFMA Restrictions Imposed on The Online Citizen Asia; Operator Cannot Receive Financial Benefits.” CNA, 21 July 2023, www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/pofma-online-citizen-asia-declared-onlinelocation-doc-3645156. 354. 76