Minister receives S$5,000 in damages for defamation case

Opposition politician Vincent Wijeysingha has paid S$5,000 to Acting Manpower Minister Tan Chuan-Jin for defamatory allegations made about the latter in a Facebook post last December.

The lecturer and Singapore Democratic Party treasurer had earlier withdrawn his allegations against Mr Tan and apologised unreservedly, while agreeing to pay damages.

The allegations, made in an article on the illegal strike by Chinese SMRT bus drivers last November, were about Mr Tan’s truthfulness and contended that the labour dispute between the drivers and SMRT had been long-standing, with no legitimate avenues for the drivers to seek redress.

Mr Tan had proposed a sum of S$20,000 in cost and damages — which was “generous, given the gravity of the defamation”, according to his lawyers — but Dr Wijeysingha responded that he had limited financial resources and could pay no more than S$5,000 in damages. He also made a statutory declaration under oath on his financial position.

Mr Tan accepted Dr Wijeysingha’s proposal “as a gesture of goodwill”, said his lawyer Kenneth Lim of Allen and Gledhill.

“Our client emphasises that his legal action was not about obtaining damages, and our client would have donated any damages above costs to charity,” he said.

“Our client took action because the allegations were entirely false, untrue and made irresponsibly. Our client is satisfied that his reputation has been vindicated.”

Responding last night, Dr Wijeysingha said: “The Facebook note highlighted the plight of low-wage workers, many of whom endure extremely poor conditions. I hope Mr Tan will work with all concerned to address the issue. We can now put this matter behind us.” NEO CHAI CHIN