Ridout Road rentals: Difference between revisions

Ministers K Shanmugam and Vivian Balakrishnan accused Lee Hsien Yang (LHY) of making defamatory statements in a Facebook post in July 2022 regarding their rental of Ridout Road properties.  

They alleged that LHY’s post suggested they received preferential treatment from the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) and implied corrupt practices.

When LHY refused to retract his statements, apologise, or make a donation to charity as demanded by the ministers, they filed a defamation suit against him. LHY declined to enter an appearance or defend the suit, leading to a default judgment in November 2022.

Justice Goh Yihan later ruled that the statements were false and defamatory, targeting the ministers’ integrity, professional reputation, and honour. The court found that LHY acted with malice, displaying a reckless disregard for the truth.

On 2 May 2023, the court awarded S$400,000 in damages—S$200,000 to each minister, including S$50,000 in aggravated damages due to malice. The court also issued injunctions preventing LHY from repeating the defamatory statements.

Justice Goh highlighted the severity of the allegations, the prominence of the claimants, and the defendant’s conduct as factors justifying the substantial damages. Additionally, the ministers sought costs and disbursements exceeding S$219,000 from LHY, who resides in the UK.

In September 2024, LHY paid S$619,335.53 to the ministers after losing the defamation suit. He stated that making the payment was necessary to protect his family home at 38 Oxley Road.

Despite the judgment, LHY continues to deny wrongdoing and maintains his criticism of the ministers’ actions.