Jay Ish’haq Rajoo ordered to correct post alleging bias and foreign recruitment in leadership scheme
TikTok user Jay Ish’haq Rajoo has been issued a correction direction under the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA), after posting false claims about a Chinese community leadership programme in Singapore.
False Allegations on TikTok
On August 26, Jay alleged that Minister for National Development Chee Hong Tat announced government plans to provide money and resources to attract mainland Chinese and groom them for leadership roles. He further claimed that funding was reserved only for leaders from the Chinese race.
Government Response
The Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) rejected these claims as false, warning they could “erode public confidence in the government’s commitment to serve all Singaporeans, regardless of race, language, or religion.” Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth David Neo directed the POFMA Office to issue the order on September 7.
Facts of the Programme
According to MCCY, the Chinese Community Leadership Course is open only to Singapore citizens who are active in the community and demonstrate a passion to serve. Participants will be nominated by local Chinese clans and business groups, with selection managed by the Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations and the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Part of a Larger Leadership Movement
Officials clarified that the course is part of a wider effort to groom young leaders across all races. Programmes such as the Our Singapore Leadership Programme, the Tunas Bersama M3 initiative by Yayasan MENDAKI, and the SINDA Young Leaders Programme provide similar opportunities for Malay and Indian youths. Youth Corps Singapore also nurtures youths to lead within their communities.
TikToker’s Compliance
Following the order, Jay deleted the original TikTok and uploaded a correction notice. However, the link in his post initially led to a broken page instead of the official clarification site. The government’s Factually portal has since published a detailed rebuttal of his claims.
Previous POFMA Actions
This is not Jay’s first encounter with POFMA. In 2023, he was issued three correction directions over falsehoods on voting secrecy, CPF policies, and HDB flat affordability. After failing to comply on time, he received a 24-month conditional warning in July 2024.
The case highlights the government’s firm stance against misinformation, especially on sensitive issues of race and leadership. For Singaporeans, the episode underscores the importance of fact-checking claims online and the continued role of POFMA in safeguarding public trust.
Sources: Mothership (2025) , CNA (2025)
Keywords: POFMA Singapore, TikTok Correction, Chinese Leadership Course, Chee Hong Tat, MCCY Rebuttal, Jay Ish’haq Rajoo
