Singaporean faces first criminal charge under POFMA since 2019 over alleged TikTok falsehoods

A 59-year-old Singaporean, Jay Ish'haq Rajoo, was charged on 11 March 2026 with communicating false statements of fact, in what authorities said is the first criminal prosecution under Section 7 of the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act since it came into force in 2019.

Rajoo was also charged with defamation and attempting to promote feelings of ill will between different racial groups in relation to several TikTok videos he posted.

The POFMA Office and the Singapore Police Force said the videos, published between 2023 and 2025, contained false statements and content that encouraged hostility between racial groups.

Earlier warnings and alleged breach

Authorities said Rajoo had previously been issued 24-month conditional warnings in 2024 after failing to comply with earlier correction directions issued under POFMA.

Under the warnings, he was required to refrain from committing further criminal offences during the specified period.

Investigators allege he breached those warnings through another TikTok video posted in 2025.

According to the authorities, the breach triggered further investigations that resulted in the latest charges, including offences linked to earlier videos posted in 2023.

Claims about policies and public institutions

The POFMA Office said Rajoo uploaded videos in July 2023 and August 2023 containing false claims relating to voting secrecy, Central Provident Fund policies, and the affordability of Housing and Development Board flats.

Officials said the statements were inaccurate and were flagged as falsehoods under Singapore’s anti-misinformation legislation.

The videos were among several posts cited by investigators as forming part of the case against Rajoo.

Allegations involving racial claims

In a TikTok video posted on 26 August 2025, Rajoo allegedly claimed that National Development Minister Chee Hong Tat had announced that the government would provide money and resources to attract mainland Chinese to Singapore and groom them for leadership roles.

He also allegedly claimed that the government was using state resources to nurture leaders only from the Chinese race.

Authorities said these statements were false and could encourage hostility between racial communities.

Rajoo was subsequently issued another POFMA order in September 2025 over the video.

Charges and legal provisions

According to the POFMA Office, Rajoo faces two counts of defamation under Section 500 of the Penal Code 1871.

He is also charged with one count of attempting to promote feelings of ill will between different racial groups under Section 298A(a) of the Penal Code.

In addition, he faces three counts of communicating false statements of fact under Section 7 of POFMA.

Authorities said this marks the first time Section 7 has been used in a criminal prosecution since the law was enacted.

Section 7 addresses the communication of false statements of fact, while Section 15 of POFMA deals with non-compliance with directions issued under the Act.

Potential penalties and next court date

Under Singapore law, a conviction under Section 7 of POFMA may result in a fine of up to S$50,000, a prison term of up to five years, or both.

A conviction under Section 15 may result in a fine of up to S$20,000, a jail term of up to one year, or both.

The defamation and racial harmony charges carry separate penalties under provisions of the Penal Code.

Rajoo indicated on 11 March 2026 that he intends to engage a lawyer.

He is scheduled to return to court on 8 April 2026.