Facebook groups or pages for taxi uncles are usually peppered with people posting interesting images like these:
Cute place to be at, though I’m certain these are groups or pages catered for boomers given its name.
Reader Bao: But Facebook itself is for boomers
Right. But in the middle of this month, someone posted something that made a Facebook group no longer that innocuous.
The man said he had “intel” that on 18 April 2020, there would be enhanced measures for the Circuit Breaker, and it’s not about bubble teas or barbers.
Instead, he claimed that “food courts, coffee shop all to close. Supermarkets will only open two days a week.
“Better go stock up your stuff for the next month or so. Government officials in meeting yesterday and will finalise measures tomorrow.”
Suffice to say, that sounded just like your uncle who anyhowly forwarded fake news to you, but the difference is that this is an open platform for all to see.
That is of course fake, and that man, who’s allegedly a taxi driver according to Straits Times, has been charged today.
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Sorry and Remorseful
The 40-year-old man was charged with communicating a false message.
Reader Bao: Wait, simi? So serious? I thought only POFMA or what.
Ah Bao, do you know that by right, you can be jailed up to six months for standing too close to someone when queuing up for your bak kut teh? The laws are there and it’s just a matter of whether to charge you in court or not.
And given the severity and the repercussions of the fake info (can you image the crowd in FairPrice after that?), the man was hauled to court today (27 April).
He could be jailed up to three years or fined up to $10,000.
But why? Where did he get the “intel” from?
It wasn’t revealed but the man said that he was very sorry and remorseful of what he’s done, and intended to plead guilty.
The police also have harsh words for people who intended to do the same thing; they said that they would not hesitate “to take action against those who transmit or communicate falsehoods.”
They added, “Members of the public should refer to official sources for information and avoid spreading unsubstantiated information or false rumours, as these may cause fear and public alarm.”
And just in case you’re one who likes to skim through articles or do selective reading, read this: all supermarkets, food courts and coffee shops are still open.
However.
My intel tells me that McDonald’s and bubble tea shops are closed. Is that accurate? Haven’t been out for so long…
Here’s a simplified summary of the South Korea martial law that even a 5-year-old would understand:
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