Blogger asked to remove defamatory post about PM Lee
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A blogger is facing legal action for alleging that CPF funds have been "misappropriated".
In a letter of demand sent through his lawyer to Mr Roy Ngerng of the website The Heart Truths, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong called for the blog post to be removed from Mr Ngerng's website and his Facebook pages.
If he fails to do so, he could be sued for defamation.
The letter of demand was put up on Mr Ngerng's site and confirmed by the PM's press secretary on Monday.
In the post, Mr Ngerng compared a Channel News Asia chart detailing the relationship between City Harvest Church leaders involved in a criminal trial, to another chart.
That chart sets out the relationships between the CPF, Mr Lee and also the Monetary Authority of Singapore, Temasek Holdings and the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC).
Mr Ngerng had said in the post: "Meanwhile, something bears an uncanny resemblance to how the money is being misappropriated."
The City Harvest Church leaders have been charged for allegedly misappropriating $24 million through sham investments in two church-linked companies, and using $26.6 million to cover it up.
Mr Lee's lawyer, Senior Counsel Davinder Singh, said in the letter that the blog post "is understood to mean that Mr Lee Hsien Loong, the Prime Minister of Singapore and Chairman of GIC, is guilty of criminal misappropriation of the monies paid by Singaporeans to the CPF".
"This is a false and baseless allegation and constitutes a very serious libel against out client, disparages him and impugns his character, credit and integrity. It is also clear that the article was published maliciously," he added.
Mr Singh also asked for Mr Ngerng to publish an apology on his blog within three days of the letter, which is dated May 18.
Mr Ngerng, who is being represented by lawyer M Ravi, posted the letter of demand on Monday on his website saying he is "being sued for defamation".
"I have tried my best to speak up for my country. I have tried my best to advocate for my fellow citizens. However, today, I am sued by the very government which should be protecting its citizens, such as me. This is disappointing," he wrote.
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Many Singaporeans have objected to the threat of a defamation lawsuit against Ngerng. They argue that even if Ngerng’s assertions had been problematic, the prime minister should have countered them through openness and dialogue rather than a potentially financially ruinous lawsuit.
“The right to freedom of expression is enshrined in our Constitution, in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and even in the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration signed by our Government. Yet, our Government’s actions, once again, are highly regressive, and serve to limit the space for expression instead of expanding it,” said human rights organisation MARUAH in a statement.
“Defamation actions do not address the concerns that Singaporeans have. Ngerng’s article, touching on issues like CPF and retirement funding, has sparked important questions that Singaporeans wish to be answered,” said another statement issued and signed by 54 civil society activists and supporters. “The prime minister’s threat of legal action, and the accompanying demand to remove the entire article, will eliminate dialogue and engagement on these questions when they should be debated and rebutted in public.”
http://www.indexoncensorship.org/2014/05/singapore-blogger-targeted-prime-minister/
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there are thousands of blogs not everyone will to know. Now he make it a must see blog and promote the blogger good or bad people will judge not the court. The Streisand Effect.
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Originally posted by Clivebenss:
there are thousands of blogs not everyone will to know. Now he make it a must see blog and promote the blogger good or bad people will judge not the court. The Streisand Effect.
+1 ....whilst I agree that Roy Ngerng crossed a fine line due to some bias....in my humble opinion.... our prime minister crossed a fine line as well.
it is this heavy handed approach that is causing them to lose votes in my opinion.
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Just sue them all
huat ah! (but word of advice for him is better pray that he stays in power forever, if not everybody he sued before may want a piece of him haha) -
Just vote this piece of worse than shit out la. Why overpay it and let it do many things to go against us ......
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PM Lee abusing his power !
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Blogger Roy Ngerng apologises to PM Lee for alleging CPF funds misappropriated
SINGAPORE - Blogger Roy Ngerng has on his blog and in a letter to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's lawyer apologised to Mr Lee for a May 15 post alleging CPF Funds were misappropriated
He is also appealing against Mr Lee's demand for damages.
In a post on Friday morning, Mr Ngerng said he admitted and acknowledged the allegation is false and "completely without foundation."
"I unreservedly apologise to Mr Lee Hsien Loong for the distress and embarrassment caused to him by this allegation," he added.
- See more at: http://www.straitstimes.com/news/singapore/more-singapore-stories/story/blogger-roy-ngerng-apologises-pm-lee-alleging-cpf-funds-#sthash.4IL9gWWS.dpuf
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Should engage Roy lah, why throw lawyer letter?!~
look at obama, no matter how he dislikes press folks, he always try to engage them thru the yearly Press Correspondents Ball and such...
Everyone will always opinion, it is getting the opinion holder to see the matter from your point of view then you have won over them...
This is the internet age, must ve new tactics, cannot anyhow throw lawyer letter, collateral damage done, image tarred difficult the win back voters who are now more net savvy... -
PM Lee rejects Roy Ngerng's appeal to not pay for damages and legal costs
SINGAPORE - Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will not be dropping his demand for damages and legal costs from blogger Roy Ngerng, his lawyer Senior Counsel Davinder Singh said in a letter on Friday.
Mr Ngerng now has until 5pm next Monday to send in a written offer. If he fails to do so, legal proceedings will be started against him.
Earlier in the day, Mr Ngerng had apologised to Mr Lee for a May 15 post on his blog The Heart Truths alleging Central Provident Fund (CPF) savings had been misappropriated.
In a letter sent by his lawyer M. Ravi, he also appealed against Mr Lee's demand for damages.
- See more at: http://www.straitstimes.com/news/singapore/more-singapore-stories/story/pm-lee-rejects-roy-ngerngs-appeal-not-pay-damages-and-le#sthash.23rUAgn2.dpuf
hong gan liao loh
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Originally posted by FireIce:
PM Lee rejects Roy Ngerng's appeal to not pay for damages and legal costs
SINGAPORE - Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will not be dropping his demand for damages and legal costs from blogger Roy Ngerng, his lawyer Senior Counsel Davinder Singh said in a letter on Friday.
Mr Ngerng now has until 5pm next Monday to send in a written offer. If he fails to do so, legal proceedings will be started against him.
Earlier in the day, Mr Ngerng had apologised to Mr Lee for a May 15 post on his blog The Heart Truths alleging Central Provident Fund (CPF) savings had been misappropriated.
In a letter sent by his lawyer M. Ravi, he also appealed against Mr Lee's demand for damages.
- See more at: http://www.straitstimes.com/news/singapore/more-singapore-stories/story/pm-lee-rejects-roy-ngerngs-appeal-not-pay-damages-and-le#sthash.23rUAgn2.dpuf
hong gan liao loh
feng shui lun liu zhuan...lang yi bu hai kuo tian kong....dun understand why must go to such an extent...
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follow his lao peh last time
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This worse than satan axhole really alll the way against citizens.
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Servant sues boss. Hahahaha .....
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Y muz sue, ask him take dwn posts, apologize can liao lor...
Hw old is Roy? Muz take him dwn like tt? Whole world is watching... Esp foreign news networks...
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Originally posted by SJS6638:
This worse than satan axhole really alll the way against citizens.
��生气
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Originally posted by TehJarVu:
follow his lao peh last time
I suppose you are right..... but i think we are no longer in the 80-90s...majority of singaporeans are educated.... i dun think the "cane" is as effective anymore
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Now the people will judge him. Not a good move.
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Originally posted by Clivebenss:
Now the people will judge him. Not a good move.
i feel he is actually alot more understanding then his father....but more could be done
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must chut some colour mah, arbo everyday let si ginahs call him pinkie pinkie meh
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ok lar if its si ginahs i can understand......but i believe Roy Gnerng really thinks he is standing up for singaporeans...so even if the article has some bias and i do believe it has....a chastise would be sufficient... to sue in my opinion has a deeper meaning....there is a possibility that it is used as a tool for e.g. to fearmonger
in fact i would argue that if LHL were to be benevelont... i would say it would dilute roy's stance and strengthen his own as a just & effective leader.
my opinion only.....dun sue me
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Originally posted by Genie99b:
��生气
Genie, if you feel happy to say this, go ahead. You are just another charlize. As if it a crime and negative. Whats your prob?
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Originally posted by Genie99b:
i feel he is actually alot more understanding then his father....but more could be done
If most of the tome you are not in sg you in no position to ......
More8ver, you are charlize 2nd, irritating elite ....
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Originally posted by SJS6638:
Genie, if you feel happy to say this, go ahead. You are just another charlize. As if it a crime and negative. Whats your prob?
Sorry i sincerely apologise...I'm not condoning the act... all I'm suggesting is for you to calm down....it's bad for your own health
As a friend I dun want to always see you angry....there is no hidden meaning
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Originally posted by Genie99b:
Sorry i sincerely apologise...I'm not condoning the act... all I'm suggesting is for you to calm down....it's bad for your own health
As a friend I dun want to always see you angry....there is no hidden meaning
Don't need apologise. You sound like charlize. I dun really regard you a friend. It is like box a person intentionally then apologise.
Then you should not be angry bad for health.