SINGAPORE — A Singaporean blogger was ordered Wednesday to pay almost $100,000 in damages for defaming the prime minister by sharing an article on Facebook linking the leader to a corruption scandal. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong had accused Leong Sze Hian of spreading false claims about him over the article related to the money-laundering scandal at state fund 1MDB in Malaysia. ADVERTISEMENTCritics say the case is the latest example of the tightly-regulated city-state’s government being heavy-handed and seeking to silence dissent online. High Court Judge Aedit Abdullah found in Lee’s favor and ordered Leong to pay him Sg$133,000 (US$99,000). Rights groups frequently accuse Singapore authorities of resorting to tough laws to silence criticism.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer March 24, 2021 07:07 UTC