Singapore Blogger Ordered To Pay $100,000 For Defaming Prime Minister, Lee Hsien Loong In Facebook Post
A Singaporean blogger, Leong Sze Hian has on Wednesday been ordered to pay almost $100,000 (N38m) in damages for defaming the prime minister, Lee Hsien Loong by sharing an article on Facebook linking the leader to a corruption scandal.
The Prime Minister accused Leong Sze Hian of spreading false claims about him over the article related to the money-laundering scandal at state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad in Malaysia.
Critics say the case is the latest example of the tightly-regulated city-state’s government being heavy-handed and seeking to silence dissent online.
Singapore’s leaders have frequently turned to the courts to take on critics, ranging from political opponents to foreign media outlets, and insist such action is necessary to protect their reputations.
High Court Judge Aedit Abdullah found in Lee’s favour, and ordered Leong to pay him Sg$133,000 (US$99,000/N37.6m). Lee had sought Sg$150,000 (US$111,447/N42m).
Leong’s lawyer Lim Tean described the verdict as a “wrong and deeply flawed decision”.
Loong took the stand at the start of the trial in October and accused Leong of making “malicious and baseless” allegations, which had undermined the government’s “integrity and honesty”.
The article that Leong shared, originally published in a Malaysian news portal, alleged that Lee was the target of an investigation in neighbouring Malaysia over the 1MDB state fund.
Billions of dollars were looted from the investment vehicle in a scandal that involved Malaysia’s former leader Najib Razak and his inner circle.
Leong’s lawyer, Lim argued the libel suit was unnecessary as authorities had already denied the allegations, adding the prime minister had “picked on the defendant when there are many others” who had shared the defamatory article.
Rights groups frequently accuse Singapore authorities of resorting to tough laws to silence criticism.
In 2019, authorities introduced a law against online misinformation, which empowers ministers to order the blocking of social media posts they deem false, sparking criticism that it would chill free speech.
Via AFP
