Blogger allegedly sent emails about posts he should have removed

SINGAPORE — After blogger Roy Ngerng promised yesterday (May 26) to remove four blog posts and a YouTube video that had invited letters from Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s lawyer, Mr Ngerng apparently sent emails to local and international media, as well as an unidentified group of recipients, telling them how they could continue accessing the posts.

The YouTube video was also made private instead of being removed.

Mr Lee’s lawyer Davinder Singh has written to Mr Ngerng’s lawyer M Ravi about the blogger misleading Mr Lee and the public. In a letter this morning, Mr Singh also questioned if Mr Ravi knew about the blogger’s actions.

Mr Ravi is to respond by 5pm today, on whether he knew about Mr Ngerng’s intentions to remove or not to remove the video, as well as to send the two emails.

Mr Lee reserves the right to recover aggravated damages.

Meanwhile, Mr Ngerng has proposed to offer S$5,000 as damages for defamation to Mr Lee, with each party to bear their own costs. The sum is based on Mr Ngerng’s “modest living and income that he derives from working as a healthcare worker”, said his lawyer, Mr Ravi, in a letter.

Mr Singh had sent a letter of demand to the 33-year-old on May 18 after the latter posted an article on May 15, alleging that Central Provident Fund (CPF) monies had been misappropriated. The deadline for Mr Ngerng to make an offer of damages is 5pm today, after an extension was granted yesterday.