Ministers K Shanmugam, Tan See Leng awarded S$230,000 each for defamation by Bloomberg, reporter

[DaoMa]

Ministers K Shanmugam, Tan See Leng awarded S$230,000 each for defamation by Bloomberg, reporter​

Bloomberg reporter Low De Wei (centre) arriving at the Supreme Court on May 22, 2026. (Photo: CNA/Ooi Boon Keong)

Lydia Lam​

14 Jul 2026 04:09PM


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SINGAPORE: A court has awarded Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam and Manpower Minister Tan See Leng damages of S$230,000 (US$177,874) each for defamation by news organisation Bloomberg and its reporter, Mr Low De Wei.

In a judgment released on Tuesday (Jul 14), Justice Audrey Lim found that the December 2024 article about secretive Good Class Bungalow (GCB) transactions had defamed the ministers.

She rejected Bloomberg's argument that the article merely examined a broader trend of non-caveated GCB transactions, and that the ministers were cited only as examples.

Instead, she said the article, when read as a whole, linked the ministers' transactions with claims about secrecy, opacity and money laundering, creating a defamatory impression.

Justice Lim also rejected Bloomberg's reliance on a public interest defence known as the Reynolds defence in UK law, saying it is not part of Singapore law.

Even if it were available, the judge found that Bloomberg would not have satisfied the standard of responsible journalism and that the ministers were not given a fair opportunity to respond to the allegations ultimately published.

Bloomberg and Mr Low are jointly and severally liable for the defamation, which means they are collectively responsible for the entire sum owed.

The story is developing. Please refresh for updates.

 

[Sustanon]

there is a reason why it is ranked 160 in the world I think....

 

[jsctan]

Do we really expect Bloomberg to get the compensation instead? It is in Singapore Court. Homeground advantage.

 

[Balls2U]

Bloomberg is likely to appeal to the Court of Appeal.

 

[DaoMa]

Bloomberg is likely to appeal to the Court of Appeal.

And lose again?

 

[superpower]

 

[Dongyi]

Bloomberg should appeal.

 

[jsctan]

View attachment 245252

My court, my rules.....

 

[DaoMa]

 

[DaoMa]

 

[Dongyi]

And lose again?

The objective isn't simply to win. It's to make the judge perform such elaborate mental gymnastics that they end up writing a judgment even they can't possibly believe.​

 

[DaoMa]

 

[jsctan]

The objective isn't simply to win. It's to make the judge perform such elaborate mental gymnastics that they end up writing a judgment even they can't possibly believe.​

At least Bloomberg now tested our court and saw how our court run.... then write an article about it in NY...lol

 

[nabeifuckpap]

So will the 2 PAP assholes use the money to help citizens or fatten their own bank accounts

 

[superpower]

The objective isn't simply to win. It's to make the judge perform such elaborate mental gymnastics that they end up writing a judgment even they can't possibly believe.​

I believe Shanmugam wrote the draft for him.

 

[bobby]

A foregone conclusion

 

[Timerty]

Reporter went to lse so maybe can get money from parents to pay the fine

 

[jsctan]

View attachment 245253
Reporter went to lse so maybe can get money from parents to pay the fine

Paid by Bloomberg. Both politicians suing Bloomberg. Small money but can write a lot to earn back.

 

[superpower]

View attachment 245253
Reporter went to lse so maybe can get money from parents to pay the fine

Suit is against Bloomberg and writer severally, so Bloomberg will pay for him.

Or Bloomberg may choose to default on payment on grounds that the suit was politically motivated and threaten to pull its office out of Singapore.

 

[DaoMa]