Reform Party chief Kenneth Jeyaretnam has been asked to put up a correction notice under the law against fake news, over his statements claiming that the prime minister and minister for law can influence performance bonuses paid to specific High Court judges.
He was issued a correction direction under the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (Pofma) on May 29 on the instruction of Minister for Culture, Community and Youth and Second Minister for Law Edwin Tong.
On May 25, Mr Jeyaretnam had put up a Facebook post commenting on the defamation suits brought against Mr Lee Hsien Yang by Minister for Home Affairs and Law K. Shanmugam and Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan.
Mr Lee, the younger brother of Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong and son of founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew, had been found guilty by a High Court judge of defaming the ministers over their rental of state bungalows in Ridout Road and was ordered to pay the ministers $200,000 each.
The ministers had sued for defamation over comments Mr Lee Hsien Yang made on his Facebook page on July 23, 2023, which suggested that they had acted corruptly and received preferential treatment in the rental of the two bungalows accusations which had been proven untrue by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau and an independent review by Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean in 2023.
In his May 25 post, Mr Jeyaretnam implied that there could have been a conflict of interest as the two ministers had been allowed to sue Mr Lee Hsien Yang for defamation, without first stepping down from their posts.
The opposition politician specifically singled out Mr Shanmugam, saying that as law minister, he "may have some input, along with the PM, into the appointment and promotion of High Court judges and into the size of their performance bonuses".
This story is from the May 30, 2024 edition of The Straits Times.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May 30, 2024 edition of The Straits Times.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
US weighs breakup of Google in landmark online search case
WASHINGTON – The United States said on Oct 8 that it may ask a judge to force Alphabet's Google to divest parts of its business, such as its Chrome browser and Android operating system, that it noted are used to maintain an illegal monopoly in online search.
Home-grown CRU will close last fitness studio on Nov 10
Refunds will be addressed once moving-out process is finalised, says staff member
Oil slides on possible ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel
HOUSTON – Oil prices slid on Oct 8, settling down more than 4 per cent on news of a possible ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel, although prices found some support on fears of a potential attack on Iranian oil infrastructure.
HBO documentary suggests Peter Todd is creator of Bitcoin
PORTLAND, Oregon - A new HBO documentary about the origins of Bitcoin suggests that Mr Satoshi Nakamoto, the pseudonymous creator of the original cryptocurrency, is likely Canadian software developer Peter Todd.
China's finance minister to hold briefing, raising stimulus hopes
He is expected to launch moves to shore up growth, strengthen fiscal policy on Oct 12
More travel during China's Golden Week, but spending still lags
BEIJING - Chinese tourists shelled out less money during their long holiday that ended on Oct 7 than before the Covid-19 pandemic, even as signs emerged that spending is stabilizing after a recent barrage of stimulus measures unveiled by the government.
Wall Street gains lift investors here with S'pore stocks up 0.6%
● SGX is STI's biggest gainer, rising 1.8% to $11.61 ● Local banks end higher; regional indexes mixed ● S&P 500 up 1%; Nasdaq adds 1.4%; Dow Jones rises 0.3%
46 schools to get new principals – 22 taking on role for first time
Forty-six schools will receive new principals at the start of the school year in 2025, as part of the Ministry of Education's (MOE) annual reshuffle exercise.
Board members of statutory boards get reminder on gift rules
Board members of statutory boards have been sent a letter by the Public Service Division (PSD) to make clear the circumstances under which they could be considered public servants under the law.
Body of hiker who fell off cliff in Everest region brought back
The body of Mr Harry Tan Eng Kwang, who died after he slipped and fell while hiking in the Everest region of Nepal about two weeks ago, arrived in Singapore on Oct 9. His family is holding a three-day wake at The Garden of Remembrance in Old Choa Chu Kang Road and the cremation will be held on Oct 12.
