Corrections 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

1. Mr Kenneth Jeyaretnam (“Mr Jeyaretnam”) published an article on The Ricebowl Singapore on 16 February 2024, and reposted it on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn on the same date. The article and reposts make the statement that SLA mismanaged State properties by charging Minister K Shanmugam and Minister Vivian Balakrishnan rent at below market value for 26 and 31 Ridout Road, and giving them preferential tenancy terms. This is untrue. The falsehood has also been republished by Gutzy Asia (on the Gutzy Asia website, and on Facebook and X), and by The Online Citizen Asia (on Facebook).

Rentals of 26 and 31 Ridout Road were at market value

2. SLA rented out 26 and 31 Ridout Road in 2018 and 2019, respectively, at fair market value and not below market valuation. At the time, 26 and 31 Ridout Road had been vacant for years. The market conditions were weak and generally on a downward trajectory. This is shown in the chart in the Annex, which was made public during the Parliament sitting on 3 July 2023.

3. After the initial three-year term, SLA renewed the tenancies for 26 and 31 Ridout Road in 2021 and 2022. This was also done at market rent. A revaluation of the rentals was carried out by professional valuers to peg the rentals to the prevailing market rate.

4. Regarding 26 Ridout Road in particular, Minister Shanmugam had recused himself, in respect of the rental transaction, and no matter had been raised by SLA to MinLaw during the entire rental process. The professional valuer from SLA who determined the Guide Rent for 26 Ridout Road did not know the identity of the prospective tenant at the material time, and only learnt that the tenant was Minister Shanmugam after the matter was reported in the media.

5. These facts are public. The facts were established in the Report on the Review of the Rentals of State Properties at No. 26 and No. 31 Ridout Road conducted by Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean (“Review”), and covered extensively in the Parliament sitting on 3 July 2023, including details of how the market value was arrived at. The Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (“CPIB”) also found no evidence that the Ministers were given favourable rental rates due to their positions.

6. Mr Jeyaretnam knows these facts. He has been issued with Correction Directions under the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (“POFMA”) on multiple previous occasions for making false statements of fact in relation to the rentals of 26 and 31 Ridout Road.

7. However, Mr Jeyaretnam’s article and reposts glaringly omit these facts. Instead, he states falsely that SLA has mismanaged State properties by renting out 26 and 31 Ridout Road at below market rentals. He also makes an inappropriate and erroneous comparison of the rentals for 26 and 31 Ridout Road, and the recent rental bids for 41 Malcolm Road. It is misleading for Mr Jeyaretnam to suggest that the properties are directly comparable, without making any attempt to refer to the established facts relating to the rentals of 26 and 31 Ridout Road, or to account for the fact that property market conditions do not remain static. Market conditions today are stronger than they were when the Ridout Road properties were initially rented out and subsequently renewed.

Tenancy durations for 26 and 31 Ridout Road accord with SLA’s general policies

8. SLA grants tenancies of heritage bungalows on 2 or 3-year terms, and up to a maximum of 3+3+3 years in the first instance, depending on the circumstances, including the likely capital expenditure that the tenant will incur to live in the property.

9. The tenancies for the Ridout Road properties kept within the maximum 3+3+3 tenancy period. The Ministers had incurred substantial costs to improve the State properties, the benefit of which will accrue to the State when the tenancies eventually come to an end.

10. These facts are also public. These facts were made clear in the findings of the Review, and during the Parliament sitting on 3 July 2023. Mr Jeyaretnam knows these facts. Despite this, he states that the tenancy durations for 26 and 31 Ridout Road were “exceptionally generous”, compared to the tenancy duration listed for 41 Malcolm Road. This falsely represents that SLA gave the Ministers preferential tenancy terms, contrary to what has been established.

Conclusion

11. Mr Jeyaretnam has a track record of publishing false statements regarding the rentals of 26 and 31 Ridout Road. The matter of the rentals of 26 and 31 Ridout Road was independently and extensively investigated by CPIB and Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean. The facts have been clarified and published. From July to November 2023, Mr Jeyaretnam was issued with five Correction Directions under the POFMA for various falsehoods made in relation to the rentals of 26 and 31 Ridout Road. His latest article shows that he chooses to persist in making false statements on the matter, even though he clearly knows the true facts.

12. The Government takes a serious view of Mr Jeyaretnam’s conduct and will consider if any further action should be taken against him.

13. Please see the facts and clarifications at:
    

    • Factually – Correction Direction issued to Mr Jeyaretnam on 16 July 2023

    • Factually – Correction Direction issued to Mr Jeyaretnam on 2 August 2023

    • Factually – Correction Direction issued to Mr Jeyaretnam on 22 August 2023

    • Factually – Correction Direction issued to Mr Jeyaretnam on 30 August 2023

    • Factually – Correction Direction issued to Mr Jeyaretnam on 2 November 2023

    • Official Report (Hansard) for the Parliament sitting on 3 July 2023

    • Reports by CPIB and Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean

14. The Minister for Culture, Community and Youth and Second Minister for Law, Edwin Tong, has instructed the POFMA Office to issue Correction Directions to Mr Jeyaretnam, Gutzy Asia and The Online Citizen Asia. The Correction Directions require recipients to insert a notice against the original post, with a link to the Government’s clarification.

Annex