Singapore activist Kokila Annamalai faces first POFMA non-compliance trial

On October 7, Kokila Annamalai stood before a Singapore court for the first ever criminal prosecution under the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA). The charge stems from two alleged false claims in her October 2024 social-media posts about a convicted drug trafficker on death row, specifically that executions are scheduled arbitrarily and that the state does not bear the burden of proof. After receiving a correction direction from the POFMA Office, Annamalai posted an article titled “I Defy: Why I am not complying with my POFMA Correction Direction,” prompting prosecutors to label the case a straightforward breach of the law.

Deputy Public Prosecutors Timotheus Koh and Stephanie Koh argued that Annamalai ignored the proper challenge process, which requires first complying with the correction and then appealing to the minister or High Court. The defence, led by Too Xing Ji and Tham Lijing, contended that the correction notice was overly lengthy, exceeded the Act’s authority, and should be invalidated. Annamalai also faces a pending Public Order Act charge for participating in a rally against capital punishment, a charge that remains on hold while the POFMA matter proceeds.

The judge granted her bail to travel to Chennai later this month, with additional conditions. Conviction could result in up to 12 months’ imprisonment, a fine of up to S$20,000, or both.