SINGAPORE — Blogger Roy Ngerng has responded to the letter of demand sent to him by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong over a defamatory article he wrote, saying he “unreservedly apologises”.

But the 33-year-old healthcare worker asked if damages sought against him can be dropped, and also claimed that legal costs cannot be demanded of him at this stage of the legal process.

Mr Ngerng also asked to have an “open dialogue” with Mr Lee on the issue of the Central Provident Fund, “so that the transactions involving the CPF will be transparent to ordinary Singaporeans”.

The letter of demand arose from a May 15 blog post written by Mr Ngerng alleging that CPF monies had been misappropriated.

He was given a two-day extension till 5pm today by Mr Lee to meet certain demands, including the removal of the offending article, an apology that is to be posted on his blog for as long as the article was put up, and an offer of damages.

Mr Ngerng said he will be posting the apology on his blog tonight.