In a significant legal move, Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam and Manpower Minister Tan See Leng have filed defamation suits against Bloomberg News and journalist Low De Wei. The case is set to be heard in Singapore’s Supreme Court on 3 March 2024.
The Controversial Article
The action follows a 12 December 2024 article by Bloomberg titled “Singapore Mansion Deals Are Increasingly Shrouded in Secrecy”, which examined Good Class Bungalow (GCB) transactions in Singapore. The piece referenced transactions that occurred from January to early December 2024, linking them to both ministers.
Claims of Libel
- Tan and Shanmugam stated that the article contained statements they consider libellous.
- They first expressed their intent to take legal action on 16 December 2024, after seeking legal advice.
- The ministers plan to send Letters of Demand to Bloomberg and other media outlets that published similar claims.
Legal Representation
Both ministers are represented by a formidable legal team from Davinder Singh Chambers, including Davinder Singh himself. Bloomberg and its reporter are defended by RCL Chambers Law Corporation, which includes lawyers Remy Choo Zheng Xi, Chua Shi Jie, and Donaven Foo.
Regulatory Actions
As a result of the article, Bloomberg received correction directions under the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act on 23 December 2024. The Ministry of Law stated that the false claims detracted from the transparency of property transactions in Singapore.
Bloomberg’s Response
In response to the correction directions, Bloomberg put up a correction notice but asserted that it did so under compulsion, reserving its right to appeal. The news organisation stood by its reporting.
As this legal battle unfolds, it raises significant questions about media freedom and accountability in Singapore’s evolving landscape.