corruption case341, extramarital affairs involving party members342, and controversy surrounding the rental of two colonial-era bungalows by ministers343. Over the years, to maintain power, the PAP has adopted harsh approaches toward those critical of the government, the ruling party, and their affiliates. Activists, independent media, and opposition politicians have faced persistent harassment for voicing criticism. A law frequently used to silence online critics is the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA), enacted in 2019. It grants the Singaporean authorities broad powers to unilaterally police content and determine what constitutes disinformation and misinformation. Under POFMA, online entities, including websites and webpages, can be designated as Declared Online Locations (DOLs). The government defines DOLs as online locations that have carried three or more different online falsehoods subject to POFMA directions within a six-month period. A DOL is not allowed to profit from spreading “falsehoods” in Singapore. Individuals and companies are therefore prohibited from providing financial support to DOLs in order to avoid promoting the spread of “falsehoods.” Digital advertising service providers must also “take reasonable steps” to ensure that paid content on DOLs is not communicated in Singapore344. Following the passage of POFMA in 2019, the government subsequently enacted more laws to control online spaces, including the Foreign Interference (Countermeasures) Act (FICA) (2021)345, the Online Safety (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill (2022)346, the Online Criminal Harms Act (OCHA) (2023)347, and the Elections (Integrity of Online Advertising) (Amendment) Bill (ELIONA) (2024)348. Ang, Hwee Min, and Davina Tham. “PAP Faces a Severe Crisis After String of Incidents Including Tan Chuan Jin’s Affiar: Analysts.” CNA, 17 Jul. 2025, www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/pap-tanchuan-jin-cheng-li-hui-affair-workers-party-leon-perera-nicole-seah-3634196. 343. Quek, Hykel. “The Ridout Road Saga Isn’t About Corruption. It’s About the Optics of Privilege.” Rice Media, 30 Jun. 2023, www.ricemedia.co/ridout-road-saga-closure. 344. Al Anthony, Darcel. “The Online Citizen’s Operator to Be Barred From Financial Benefit for Two More Years Over Repeated Falsehoods.” CNA, 11 Jun. 2025, www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/online-citizenoperator-barred-financial-benefit-two-more-years-repeated-falsehoods-pofma-5174366. 345. Lim, Vanessa, et al. “Parliament Passes Bill to Deal With Foreign Interference After 10-Hour Debate.” CNA, 5 Oct. 2025, www.channelnewsasia.com/singaporefica-parliament-singapore-foreign-interference-countermeasures-bill-2221236. 346. Lim, Kimberly. “Singapore Parliament Approves Legislation to Limit Harmful Content, Says Free Speech Won’t Be Affected.” South China Morning Post, 9 Nov. 2022, www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/ article/3199036/singapore-parliament-approves-legislation-limit-harmful-content-says-free-speechwont-be-affected. 347. Commencement of the Online Criminal Harms Act (OCHA) on 1 February 2024.” Ministry of Home Affairs, 30 Jan. 2024, www.mha.gov.sg/mediaroom/media-detail/commencement-of-the-online-criminalharms-act-ocha-on-1-february-2024. 348. “Elections (Integrity of Online Advertising) (Amendment) Act 2024 (Commencement) Notification 2025.” Singapore Statutes Online, sso.agc.gov.sg/SL/S47-2025?DocDate=20250120. 342. 74