The date was when the final of the football World Cup would take place.
The letter allegedly written by the president said he was declaring 14 July 2014 a public holiday “to allow all Singaporeans to have a chance of watching the 2014 FIFA World Cup Final between Germany and Argentina.”
“At the same time, this allows all Singaporeans to bond with their family members, neighbour [sic] and friends to make Singapore a much more bonded society,” President Tan allegedly said.
“I have discussed this with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and he agreed with me,” the letter went on. “With that, all Government offices will be closed on 14 July 2014.
“I wish you all a happy holiday.”
On the same day the announcement went viral online, the President’s office issued a statement to debunk the letter as a hoax.
The statement said:
“It has come to our attention that there is a letter circulating on mobile and online platforms in the name of President Tony Tan Keng Yam declaring today (14 July) a public holiday. We would like to clarify that the President’s Office did not issue such a letter.”
It said Public holidays are announced by the Ministry of Manpower.
According to a TODAY report, a police report has been lodged and the police are investigating the incident.
However, it is unclear who had made the police report.
The Ministry of Manpower itself was the target of a hoax when two replicas of its website surfaced in May.
The ministry then made a police report, the outcome of which is still pending.
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