Mr Leong Mun Wai made Facebook and Instagram posts on 12 February 2024 which contain falsehoods about the financial assistance received by a husband-and-wife couple who are staying in West Coast. Mr Leong has identified the couple by a photograph. Those falsehoods were later republished by The Online Citizen (on Facebook) and Gutzy Asia (on Facebook, X and the Gutzy Asia website). 

Financial assistance for daily expenses

• It was falsely claimed that the couple only receives a Home Caregiving Grant (HCG), and currently does not receive any other form of financial assistance from public sector agencies in relation to their daily expenses.
• In truth, the couple also receives financial assistance each month from the People’s Association in the form of NTUC vouchers (since February 2022) and Community Development Council Utilities Vouchers (since March 2022).

• Since 2021, the couple has received approximately $39,000 in cash and vouchers from various public sector agencies and community partners. This included $21,000 in ComCare assistance from May 2021 to April 2023. 

MediSave funds

• It was falsely claimed that the woman had used up most of the funds in her MediSave account to pay for an operation on her leg.
• In truth, the cost of the woman’s inpatient treatment at Ng Teng Fong General Hospital (NTFGH), including her leg operation, was about $8,580. After Government subsidies of about $6,300, MediShield Life and MediSave, her remaining bill amount was about $240. Prior to her leg operation, the woman had more than $60,000 in her MediSave account. As at 12 February 2024, she continues to maintain a balance of more than $60,000 in her MediSave account. 

Affordability of physiotherapy

• It was falsely claimed that the woman stopped attending physiotherapy sessions at a hospital because she had to pay $100 to the hospital for each session.
• In truth, all of the woman’s outpatient physiotherapy sessions at Ng Teng Fong General Hospital (NTFGH), which cost around $25 per session after Government subsidies, were fully covered by MediFund. She did not have to pay any cash out-of-pocket.

Assistance for transport costs

• It was falsely claimed that the couple’s application to a public sector agency for assistance with transport costs was rejected.
• In truth, the Ministry of Transport granted their household’s application for the Public Transport Voucher (PTV) in the 2021 exercise. PTVs were also granted to them in the 2022 and 2023 exercises. The man redeemed the 2023 PTVs on 15 January 2024.
• The man has also been receiving subsidised medical escort and transport services from community care providers since 2021. When the woman fractured her ankle, the Silver Generation Office (SGO) offered to refer her to subsidised medical escort and transport services, but she had declined the offer.

Further background

• The man is 60-years-old and the woman is 55-years-old. They currently have more than $100,000 in total in both their CPF Retirement Accounts. The woman was entitled to and did withdraw $5,000 from her CPF account in April 2023.
• The man has been receiving the HCG since November 2022. Since March 2023, the HCG provides him with $400 each month.

• The couple also receive non-financial support. An officer from the People’s Association also visits the couple regularly, and has ferried them for hospital visits, bought meals for them when they could not leave the house and helped them run other errands. 

Advisory

False statements, such as those made by Mr Leong in his social media posts, erode public trust and mislead the public about the support that is available and provided to families who are in need.

The Minister for Social and Family Development and Second Minister for Health has instructed the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA) Office to issue Correction Directions to Mr Leong, The Online Citizen, and Gutzy Asia. The Correction Directions require recipients to insert a notice against the original post, with a link to the Government’s clarification. We advise members of the public not to speculate and/or spread unverified rumours.