PM Lee Takes the Stand in a Defamation Show‑down
At the High Court, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong had the floor, trying to convince everyone that Mr Leong Sze Hian was no innocent bystander.
Why Is the PM So Sassy About the Blogger?
- “It’s all about the truth!” – Mr Lee told the judges that Leong’s post was a wolf in sheep’s clothing, a clear case of “reckless disregard of the truth.”
- Leong’s lawyer, Mr Lim Tean, recounted that Mr Lee called the blogger a “malicious liar,” despite never having checked the facts.
The Story Behind the Defamation Claim
- Who was the source? The blogger reposted a link to a Malaysian news article from The Coverage that alleged former PM Najib Razak had signed “secret deals” with Singapore to launder money.
- That story originally came from the States Times Review, an Aussie‑based site run by Alex Tan Zhi Xiang.
- Singapore’s top dogs—High Commission, Monetary Authority, and the Infocomm Agency—took a jab at the whole affair, with Minister K. Shanmugam dropping statements as well.
Legalities vs. Politics
Mr Lim tried to plant the idea that the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (Pofma) doesn’t penalise those who spread fake news without knowing it, so suing for defamation seems unfair.
Judge Aedit Abdullah reminded everyone that such arguments belong on the legal docket, not on the witness stand.
Who’s the Target Anyway?
- Mr Lim pointed out that Leong is “just one of many critics,” pointing out why the PM might have singled him out.
- PM Lee said he didn’t pick Leong to scare anyone, just to defend his own reputation, admitting the critic wasn’t the most vocal or effective.
- “We’ve survived a lot of petty attacks over the years,” Lee added, turning the whole thing into a mild “we’re used to the bites” shrug.
Less drama, more truth? Only the court will tell. Keep an eye on it!
Lim Tean questions why other critics have not been sued
Singapore’s Courtroom Show‑down: Why the Prime Minister Sued a Misinformation Sharer, Not the Original Writer
In a drama that could rival a soap opera, Mr. Lim, the defense counsel, pulled the curtain on the Prime Minister’s legal strategy. According to him, the PM only targeted Mr. Leong Sze Hian – the guy who shared a post – instead of hitting the real culprit: the author and the people behind the claim.
Mr. Lim’s Take‑away
- He says the PM “chose the easy route” to tame a government critic.
- He argues that suing a thousand reshares isn’t the clever move it seems.
- There’s a critique that the PM is basically letting “poison” spread with every untouched file.
“You’re trying to strike fear in Singaporeans,” Mr. Lim told the court, singling out the target as a staunch critic.
Prime Minister Lee’s Quick Reply
Lee shot back:
“Your Honour, this flatters his client. I totally deny it.”
When Mr. Lim asked if Lee had the courage to sue the writer, Lee countered, “I took advice and decided to sue Leong. Not about bravery, but about clearing my name.”
Breakdown of the Legal Play
Lee explained that once the case hits the court, the truth will surface. He’s confident that taking Mr. Leong to the judges is the best way to truly vindicate himself, given the legal counsel’s advice.
And while Mr. Lim claimed that the article was only “technical and limited” because it was merely shared, Lee—like a seasoned copy‑writer—pragmatically said:
“Sharing is publication. What more must you do before you’re counted as a publication?”
Wheeling Back to the Core Issue
“Can you tell the court of a single living person who thought the worse of you because of the sharing of this article by the defendant?” Mr. Lim asked. Lee replied on a more philosophical track, “A damaging article is published and circulated. Either I vindicate myself or one more drop of poison sinks.”
From Law to Morality
There was a standoff as Mr. Lim suggested a “strange morality” that would lead the PM to sue Mr. Leong. Justice Aedit shooed him away, saying “This is not a court of morality.” He urged Mr. Lim to rephrase his question more plainly.
When the lawyer inquired if the PM could have hunted the origins of the falsehood, Lee laid the final stone: “That’s for me and my legal counsel to decide.”
Bottom Line
In a twist that’d give any thriller a run for its money, the Prime Minister’s legal sleight of hand leaves the court, the media, and the public waiting for the next move—who might finally answer whether to strike at the root or just the branches.
Hearing continues on Wednesday
Trial Day Two: Hong Kong‑Based Expert Speaks, Client Stays Silent
The second day of the courtroom saga on Wednesday, October 7, saw Dr Tuan Quang Phan, the hard‑hitting expert called by Prime Minister Lee, deliver his testimony over a video link from Hong Kong. The remote‑sitting approach added a little futuristic flair to an otherwise gritty legal battle.
Who’s in the Spotlight?
- Dr Tuan Quang Phan – the expert witness eye‑watering the case from across the border, cited by PM Lee.
- Mr Lim – the slick trial lawyer for Mr Leong, unsure whether his client will step up to the stand.
- Mr Leong – the defendant in question, whose silence is becoming the headline.
- Mr Singh – a courtroom commentator, who dropped a hopeful note: “I hope the defendant has the courage to take the stand tomorrow.”
- Mr Lim’s reply – “My client certainly has no lesser courage than the plaintiff in not suing STR or The Coverage.”
Cross‑Examination Done Right
After the session, Mr Lim told reporters that his cross‑examination of Mr Lee was “super well” and that he pulled exactly what he wanted out of it. The courtroom drama remains a classic example of the high‑stakes litigation that Singapore courts face today.
Defamation Stakes and Context
Behind the courtroom chatter lies a tangled web of defamation allegations, the involvement of the Singapore courts, and politics that ripple even into general public discourse. Mr Lee Hsien Loong (Prime Minister) is a key figure attached to the original summons, making this case a headline driver for national media.
This article was first published in The Straits Times.
