Singapore Ministers File Defamation Lawsuits Against Bloomberg

Ministers Take Legal Action Over Real Estate Report

Singapore’s Home Affairs and Law Minister K. Shanmugam and Manpower Minister Tan See Leng have filed defamation lawsuits against Bloomberg News and its reporter, Low De Wei. The lawsuits stem from a December 12, 2024, article that discussed high-end property transactions in Singapore and mentioned the ministers by name.

Government Issues Correction Order

Following the publication of the article, Singapore’s government invoked the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA) on December 23, 2024, ordering Bloomberg to publish a correction notice. Bloomberg complied but noted it did so “under threat of sanction,” maintaining confidence in its reporting.

Legal Proceedings and Representation

The defamation suits were officially filed on January 6, 2025, with a case conference scheduled at the Supreme Court on March 3, 2025. The ministers are represented by Senior Counsel Davinder Singh, a lawyer known for handling high-profile defamation cases. Bloomberg and Low De Wei are being defended by RCL Chambers Law Corporation.

Broader Context of Media Regulation in Singapore

Singapore’s government has a history of taking legal action against media organizations and individuals for defamation. The use of POFMA reflects the government’s strict approach to controlling misinformation and ensuring public trust in official narratives.

“Singapore Ministers File Defamation Lawsuits Against Bloomberg”