Singapore was all set to brand Kejriwal as an international fake news peddler. But S Jaishankar saved him

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal would have been an internationally designated fake news peddler and misinformation spreader had India’s Foreign Minister, Dr S Jaishankar not saved him. Singapore is infuriated with the absurd comments made by Arvind Kejriwal about a “Singapore variant” of the novel Coronavirus which the Delhi CM claimed has been causing immense damage among the country’s child population. In fact, Kejriwal was about to be charged under Singapore’s robust Protection from Online Falsehoods & Manipulation Act (POFMA). However, the country, which enjoys a special friendship with New Delhi seems to have dropped the idea after the Indian MEA rescued Kejriwal.

On Wednesday, Simon Wong, Singapore’s High Commissioner to India said, “In Singapore, we have Protection from Online Falsehoods & Manipulation Act (POFMA) to mitigate misinformation and we reserve right to invoke POFMA on assertions made by CM (Delhi). However, we’re satisfied with GoI’s clarification.” The statement by the High Commissioner has made it clear that Singapore was actively deliberating upon classifying Arvind Kejriwal as a fake news peddler under the law. However, the Indian government’s assurances to Singapore seem to have saved the day for the loudmouth.

In Singapore, we have Protection from Online Falsehoods & Manipulation Act (POFMA) to mitigate misinformation & we reserve right to invoke POFMA on assertions made by CM (Delhi). However, we're satisfied with GoI's clarification: Simon Wong, Singapore High Commissioner to India pic.twitter.com/zLPjggB1im

— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2021

The Protection from Online Falsehoods & Manipulation Act is also called the ‘Fake News Law’. The said law allows Singaporean authorities to respond to fake news by enforcing links to fact-checking sites, censoring websites or social media accounts, and filing criminal charges as they deem fit. Simon Wong added, “We were happy to see EAM Dr Jaishankar had put 3 points that Singapore and India are solid partners in the fight against Covid, that Delhi CM doesn’t speak for India, and that the comments made were irresponsible.”

The High Commissioner made it clear that it was the Indian government’s handling of the fiasco that had saved Kejriwal. Wong remarked, “Exchanges between both countries’ foreign ministers, I would say that we would wish to put an end to this episode because authorities representing Government of India had spoken and we are heartened by those assurances.”

Read more: Singapore Politicians and Indian foreign minister took to Twitter to jointly bash Delhi’s chief liar Arvind Kejriwal

On Tuesday, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal had called on the Indian government to take measures to prevent the spread of what he called a “Singapore variant” in India. In a tweet, the activist turned showman had said that the Centre must “cancel air services” with Singapore on the account of what he called “a new form of corona that came to Singapore” and was extremely dangerous for children.

Taking to Twitter, Indian Foreign Minister Dr S Jaishankar saved the day by reiterating the special friendship between India and Singapore, and said, “Singapore and India have been solid partners in the fight against COVID-19. Appreciate Singapore’s role as logistics hub and oxygen supplier. Their gesture of deploying military aircraft to help us speaks of our exceptional relationship. However, irresponsible comments from those who should know better can damage long-standing partnerships. So, let me clarify – Delhi CM does not speak for India.”

Had the Indian government not thrashed and disowned Arvind Kejriwal publicly, the Delhi chief minister would have been subjected to international humiliation by Singapore. The AAP supremo must forever remain grateful to Foreign Minister Dr S Jaishankar.