Why isn’t Minister Shanmugam issuing POFMA directions himself?

Minister for Home Affairs and Law K Shanmugam SC holds the record for the most POFMA directions issued since the law’s inception—20 directions.

That’s double the next highest figure, Minister for National Development Desmond Lee, who issued 10.

But here’s the catch: if you add all targeted and correction directions issued under Mr Shanmugam’s ministries—the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Law—his tally would hit a staggering 32 directions.

Yet, for the most recent three directions under his ministry, Second Minister for Home Affairs Josephine Teo issued them instead. Had he been the minister to issue the directions, it would have been a glaringly clear series of seven POFMA directions in a row—something that might not go unnoticed.

This raises a key question: why is Mr Shanmugam, who so strongly defended POFMA’s accountability and the “high onus” it places on ministers, not issuing these directions himself anymore?

Back in 2019, during the debate to introduce the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA), Mr Shanmugam emphasised that every decision under the law puts a minister’s personal reputation on the line. He described it as a “very high onus” and pointed out that ministers risk public embarrassment if the courts disagree with their decision.

But if others are now stepping in to issue POFMA directions under his ministries, how exactly is his personal reputation at stake?

Some might argue this is about sharing the workload or simple practicality.

Delegation isn’t unusual in government, after all. Still, given how Mr Shanmugam positioned POFMA—as a tool that demands ministerial accountability—does this shift dilute the very responsibility he championed?

It’s a bit like someone convincing the community to buy an expensive massage chair for everyone’s benefit but then being the one who uses it the most—and then putting someone else’s name down on the usage record while still enjoying the chair.

POFMA was introduced by Mr Shanmugam in the name of public good, yet its heavy use by him and his ministries is undeniable.

Now, with other ministers stepping in to issue directions, it raises questions about whether the accountability he once emphasised is shifting—or being carefully managed.