Brad Bowyer POFMA correction (2019)

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Brad Bowyer is a member of the Progress Singapore Party (PSP). His Facebook post on 13 November 2019 contained false allegations about the Singapore government, Temasek Holdings and GIC.[1] Under the POFMA (Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act), Brad Bowyer had been ordered to correct these false statements.[2] In 2019, there were four cases of POFMA corrections involving Brad Bowyer, States Times Review, Lim Tean and SDP.

Debunked allegations

Brad Bowyer's false allegations have been debunked, as seen below:

"Government control" of Temasek Holdings & GIC

Brad Bowyer's Allegations POFMA Facts[3]
The government controls the business transactions of Temasek Holdings and GIC.
  • Temasek Holdings and GIC are listed as private investment companies, they can choose who they want to do business with.
  • These established companies win clients because they are competent.
  • These companies are open about who they do business with. (i) Temasek Holdings has published its financial information every year since 2004. (ii) Its list of major clients can be viewed here.

Amaravati Project, Andhra Pradesh, India

Context: The Amaravati city project was cancelled on 12 November 2019. This was a joint project between Singapore and Andhra Pradesh (India) to build the state's new capital.[4]

Brad Bowyer's Allegations POFMA Facts[3]
  • The government wasted S$4 billion on the Amaravati Project* in Andhra Pradesh.
  • Government Linked Companies (GLC) and related parties were the only ones investing in Andhra Pradesh.
  • The cost incurred was closer to a few million dollars, not "S$4 billion".
  • The cost was limited to design services.
  • Private Singaporean companies (eg. Indus Coffee Pte Ltd) have also invested in Andhra Pradesh.

Temasek Holdings' investment in Salt Bae restaurants

Context: Temasek Holdings and Metric Capital bought a 17 percent holding in Doğuş Restaurant Entertainment and Management (D.ream International BV) in 2018 for $200 million.[5]

Brad Bowyer's Allegations POFMA Facts[3]
Temasek Holdings invested in a debt-ridden company* that owns the Salt Bae restaurant chain.
  • The company in debt is Doğuş Holding A.Ş,[6] Temasek does not have investments in this company.
  • Doğuş Holding A.Ş and D.ream International BV are two separate companies.
  • Doğuş Holding A.Ş is only a shareholder of D.ream International BV.

References / Citations

  1. Sun, David. "Opposition member told to correct FB post as Govt uses fake news law". The New Paper. November 26, 2019. Accessed on 29 November 2019.
  2. "POFMA Office directs Brad Bowyer to correct Facebook post in first use of 'fake news' law". Channel News Asia. November 25, 2019. Accessed on 29 November 2019.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Corrections and clarifications regarding falsehoods posted by Mr Brad Bowyer". Factually. November 25, 2019. Accessed on 29 November 2019.
  4. Ho, Grace. "Andhra Pradesh project with Singapore to develop the Indian state's new capital cancelled". November 12, 2019. Accessed on 29 November 2019.
  5. "Temasek stake values 'Salt Bae' Turkish restaurant owner at $1.2 billion". Reuters. April 10, 2018. Accessed on 29 November 2019.
  6. Ersoy, Ercan. "Debt Is Piling Up for Owner of Salt Bae Steakhouse". Bloomberg. March 20, 2019. Accessed on 29 November 2019.