The Singapore court ruled in favor of Ministers K Shanmugam and Dr Vivian Balakrishnan in their defamation suits against Lee Hsien Yang and granting an injunction on LHY from sharing the defamatory statements.
Damages will be assessed in a subsequent hearing, along with fixed costs.
Minister Shanmugam emphasized that Lee Hsien Yang, currently residing in the UK, should avail himself of the opportunity to defend himself in “full view of the Singapore public” if he believes the defamation claims against him are baseless.
Given the Singaporean Ministers’ hesitance to pursue the case against LHY in the UK, it’s difficult to overlook the sharp contrast with the late Lee Kuan Yew’s resolute pursuit of legal remedies beyond the confines of Singapore.
As Minister Shanmugam emphasizes LHY’s defense in a Singaporean court, netizens express concerns over the ministers’ seemingly limited awareness of their capacity to pursue litigation in the UK.
Some suggest considering the UK open court option, while others question whether the minister’s legal team may hesitate when confronted with international litigation.
Minister Shanmugam urged Lee Hsien Yang to embrace the opportunity to defend himself openly before the Singaporean public, emphasizing the importance of cross-examination if he genuinely believes the defamation claims are unfounded.
This comes in response to LHY’s earlier proposal for independent arbitration as a peaceful resolution to the escalating discord.
It’s noteworthy that the Singapore Police are also seeking the return of LHY to Singapore to assist with investigations against both him and his wife, Lee Suet Fern, regarding allegations of providing false evidence in judicial proceedings.
Considering this, it seems somewhat contradictory for Mr Shanmugam to sue LHY in a Singapore court, knowing LHY’s current intention to stay out of Singapore, instead of pursuing the case in the UK where LHY resides.
In response to the defamation suit filed against him by Ministers K Shanmugam and Vivian Balakrishnan, Lee Hsien Yang expressed on Facebook his desire to address the escalating dispute through independent arbitration.
He outlined a plan emphasizing fairness, impartiality, and transparency, wherein each party would choose an arbitrator of notable international repute.
As Singapore marks the 100th birthday of its late founding father, Lee Kuan Yew (LKY), a legal drama unfolds. Ministers Shanmugam and Balakrishnan serve a defamation suit to LKY’s younger son, Lee Hsien Yang via Facebook Messenger, with courts’ blessing, overshadowing the nation’s commemorative events.
Former NTUC Income chief and two-time Presidential candidate, Tan Kin Lian, has weighed in on the defamation lawsuit filed by two Singaporean PAP ministers against Lee Hsien Yang.
Tan believes Lee’s remarks are “quite mild” compared to the personal attacks which labeled him as a “racist” and “sexist.” Instead, Mr Tan views Lee Hsien Yang’s choice of words as “factual and non-defamatory”.
He urges the two ministers to withdraw the lawsuit.
Legal team of Singapore’s Law and Home Affairs Minister, Mr K Shanmugam, and Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, the Minister for Foreign Affairs is seeking permission to serve legal documents via Facebook Messenger, citing the impracticality of serving Mr Lee Hsien Yang personally in the United Kingdom.
Last week, Singaporean ministers Shanmugam and Balakrishnan initiated a defamation suit in the Singapore High Court against Lee Hsien Yang, the son of Singapore’s founding father, Lee Kuan Yew.
In response, LHY stated that he had invited the two PAP ministers to pursue legal action in the UK, where the statements that upset them were made.
He added, “Instead, they have chosen to commence legal action in Singapore. It is for the public to judge their reasons.”
Law and Home Affairs Minister Mr. Shanmugam and Foreign Affairs Minister Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan have officially filed a defamation suit against Lee Hsien Yang in Singapore High Court.
The case is set for an in-chamber hearing on 5 September. They are represented by lawyers from Davinder Singh Chambers, including renowned senior lawyer Davinder Singh, known for representing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in past high-profile defamation cases.