SINGAPORE — The Singaporean government has ordered internet service providers to block access to the news outlet MalaysiaNow, following its refusal to comply with a correction direction under the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA).
The Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued a joint statement on November 17, 2025, announcing the block after MalaysiaNow failed to amend an article from November 9. The article in question made false claims about the treatment of convicted drug courier Pannir Selvam Pranthaman, CNA reported.
“We are aware of MalaysiaNow’s statement rejecting the correction direction (CD) and criticising the Singapore government’s approach to addressing online falsehoods,” MDDI and MHA said.
“Despite reminders to comply, MalaysiaNow has not done so. These are not actions that would be taken by any responsible media outlet with journalistic integrity.”
The correction direction required MalaysiaNow to display both the government’s facts and the article’s falsehoods, allowing Singaporean readers to make an informed judgment. MalaysiaNow, however, refused to comply. “We do not take instructions from any government,” wrote the outlet’s editor, Abdar Rahman Koya, in a statement.
The correction direction did not require the removal of the original article but asked for an additional correction notice alongside the false claims. MHA clarified that the intention was to provide both versions to the public for an informed decision.
In addition to blocking MalaysiaNow’s website, the POFMA Office has also issued correction directions to Meta Platforms, LinkedIn, and X. These platforms are now required to notify users in Singapore who have accessed, or will access, the disputed posts.
According to the Singaporean government, the article published by MalaysiaNow made several false statements, according to MHA. These included claims that Pannir’s execution violated the rule of law and accusations that the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) secretly facilitated an interview with Pannir by the Malaysian police.
Authorities also noted it also falsely alleged that Singapore Prison Service officers misled Pannir’s family into signing a document stating that his belongings had been returned.
MHA reaffirmed that Pannir was not granted a certificate of substantive assistance, as the public prosecutor determined he had not assisted CNB in disrupting drug trafficking. The court rejected Pannir’s legal challenge to this decision in 2021.
Under the Misuse of Drugs Act, those convicted of trafficking drugs may be sentenced to life imprisonment instead of the death penalty, provided they meet specific criteria, including providing substantive assistance to CNB.
The Singaporean government reiterated its commitment to protecting citizens from harmful misinformation. – November 17, 2025