Singapore opposition chief quits in wake of fake news allegations

Leong Mun Wai, a top opposition lawmaker, stepped down as chief of the Progress Singapore Party, shortly after the government invoked the fake news law against him.

Hazel Poa was named the party’s general secretary after Leong stepped down February 20, according to a statement issued by the opposition outfit.

Leong, who will remain a Central Executive Committee member of the party, has since deleted the old posts and replaced them with a corrected version three days later.

The committee “is proud that he has demonstrated accountability through his actions, not just words”, the party said on its Facebook page on Friday evening.

“The Progress Singapore Party will continue working to build a more progressive, compassionate and inclusive Singapore,” it added.

Leong’s social media comments, regarding a married couple with mobility problems who he said had not received enough financial aid from the government, were challenged by the Ministry of Social and Family Development.

The couple, who live in the West Coast area, had in fact received thousands of dollars in cash and vouchers from various public sector agencies and community partners since 2021, and have more than S$100,000 (US$74,000) in retirement savings, the ministry said.

“False statements, such as those made in Leong’s posts, erode public trust and mislead the public about the support that is available and provided to families who are in need,” it said in a statement.

“I spoke about their circumstances, and the assistance they were given … not knowing that this may not be the full picture,” Leong said in his correction on social media.