Singapore Minister Takes a Defining Stand on False Corruption Claims
In a drama that could have been lifted straight out of a courtroom thriller, one of the two men who dared to accuse Singapore’s Minister of Manpower, Josephine Teo, of profiting from the pandemic is now eating humble pie. Meanwhile, the other accuser is still at large – a twist that keeps the intrigue alive.
Who’s the Accuser and Why the Apology?
Clicking the headline on May 20 night, Facebook user Donald Liew admitted that his earlier post – published on May 14 – was a complete fabrication. He claimed that the Minister and her husband had illegally benefited from the coronavirus outbreak in migrant worker dormitories and the rushed creation of “emergency housing facilities” for COVID‑19 patients.
Our man Liew had even dragged the Minister’s spouse, Teo Eng Cheong, who runs the international arm of Surbana Jurong, into the mix. The company, it turns out, did cooperate directly with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of National Development to construct a community care facility at Singapore Expo.
Legal Power‑Play
On the same day Liew and fellow activist Jolovan Wham were served with letters of demand from Allen & Gledhill, the legal powerhouses behind Ms. Teo’s defense. Those letters demanded that the two men retract their baseless spin and a show of sincerity – a publicly issued apology and the removal of the offending post.
“I apologise unreservedly to Mrs Josephine Teo for making these allegations,” wrote Liew, and he promised never to raise similar accusations again. The fine print? They also had to donate $1,000 each to the Migrant Workers’ Assistance Fund.
Minister’s Firm Response
Ms. Teo, who also serves as the Second Minister for Home Affairs, issued a crisp statement through her legal team:
- “Neither she nor her spouse had any involvement in commissioning or funding the projects in question.”
- “All dealings were handled on a cost‑recovery basis – even below cost in some cases.”
- “We understand that the public deserves clarity, but we will not be intimidated by baseless allegations.”
Her legal guns said that while she was eligible for substantial damages, she preferred to close the chapter with apologies and a withdrawal of claims – no courtroom drama required.
Government’s Got a Good Backstory
The Ministry of Health and the Ministry of National Development blew a whistle clear and bright: the government had enlisted Temasek, the investment giant, to set up the community care facility because it could swoop in at short notice with the necessary resources.
Temasek’s cooperation was on a cost‑recoupment basis. The ministries added that any legitimate questions about spending would be addressed openly, but they are also prepared to fight off any “scurrilous” corruption gossip that doesn’t stand up to scrutiny.
Where Are We Now?
To keep fingers on the pulse, you can follow the latest COVID‑19 updates at the official government portal (though we won’t drop a clickable link here).
With a full apology from one accused and an ongoing saga involving the other, the story is proving that no allegation matters without a solid bottom line – and a good sense of humor can help keep the public’s faith intact.
