A Singapore Court on March 24, 2021, ordered blogger Leong Sze Hian to pay PM Lee Hsien Loong an amount of US $100,000 for defaming him through a Facebook post. This order from the Singapore court came in when a blogger shared a Facebook post where he linked the leader to corruption charges.

The article alleged that Lee Hsien Loong, the Prime Minister of Singapore, helped Najib Razak, former prime minister of Malaysia, to launder money in relation to the scandal at state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad.

Aedit Abdullah, High Court Judge stand in favour of Lee and ordered Leong to pay him Sg$133,000 (US$99,000). Lee had sought Sg$150,000.

Aedit Abdullah said, “Leong could not reasonably claim that the defamatory words did not impugn (Mr Lee’s) character.” as per CNA reports.

He further added that Leeong has published the article because it is his own Facebook post as it was hyperlinked to make it accessible. As a result, 45 people commented on the post as the post was made public.

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According to the critics, this case is the latest example of the tightly-regulated city-state’s government being heavy-handed and seeking to silence dissent online.

Singapore’s leaders have frequently turned to the courts to take on critics, ranging from political opponents to foreign media outlets, and insist such action is necessary to protect their reputations.

Leong’s financial advisor said, “ I am of course disappointed and I hope that this is the last time that any political will sue an ordinary citizen for defaming.” reported CNA.

He further appealed to the public to donate so that the cost can be covered.

 As per Lim Tean, Leong’s lawyer Lim Tean the verdict is wrong and has a deeply flawed decision.