Singapore Court Hits Nephew of Prime Minister with $15,000 Fine for Facebook Shenanigans
Shame on the man who thought a harmless FB post could bypass the law. The High Court just slapped a $15,000 fine on Li Shengwu, Prince of Blogs, nephew to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, after finding him guilty of contempt for a scandal‑laden Facebook post back in July 2017.
What the Court Said
- The judge, Justice Kannan Ramesh, determined that Li’s post gave the public a real chance to lose faith in the justice system.
- Li tried to argue that the post was “private,” only visible to his FB friends. The court said that’s a nice excuse but didn’t pass the test—what if the post got peeled off the page and shared elsewhere? That’s the real risk.
- The post included a snarky link to a 2010 New York Times editorial that slammed Li’s grandfather, the founding PM. That was the icing on the legal cake.
Who’s Involved? The Family Circus
The original rant popped up during a thorny family feud over the late Lee Kuan Yew’s Oxley Road home. The drama involved Li’s father Lee Hsien Yang, aunt Lee Wei Ling, and, of course, the Prime Minister himself. Talk about a family stew!
Li’s “Grandfather Defense”
Li claimed the post was harmless—just a little venting. He was applied as “very litigious and has a pliant court system” in the 2017 Facebook message. Not exactly the best spin when you’re in court. The judge didn’t buy it, giving him the fine and a possible one‑week jail term if he skips payment.
Legally Mad About the Process
In August 2017, the Attorney‑General’s Chambers began contempt proceedings against Li. He fought the process, claiming court papers were served on him in the US (he’s an assistant professor of economics at Harvard). His challenge failed, and the case sailed on to the Tribunal.
What Happens If Li Doesn’t Pay?
The verdict says: $15,000 fine or one week in a Singapore jail. A tough choice for a guy who thinks he’s keyboard‑troll‑immune.
Quick Takeaway
Funny how a midnight Facebook post can turn into a legal nightmare. Lesson learned: keep your political rant private if you don’t want a fine, and definitely don’t mention your very, very connected family member! The court definitely will not let you slip under the radar, even with the “private” remark.
