The founder of a website that has been blocked by the Singapore government has claimed he is being forced to return here — just to renew his passport.
What is going on?
The Singaporean is Alex Tan, 31, who has been based in Australia the past few years.
He is responsible for starting the anti-establishment States Times Review website, which was blocked by the Singapore government on Nov. 9, 2018.
Shutting down website and Facebook page
The States Times Review Facebook post alleged that Tan has been compelled to return to Singapore in person to renew his passport.
Referring to this arrangement as part of a “deal”, the post said Tan would be shutting down the States Times Review Facebook page and the Singapore Herald website on April 5, at 11.59pm.
The States Times Review website is currently inaccessible by users from Singapore.
The website, Singapore Herald, was started a day after the States Times Review website was blocked by the Singapore government in November 2018.
The Singapore Hearald was also subsequently blocked.
More at https://mothership.sg/2019/04/alex-tan-singapore-return-renew-passport/