Singapore Ministers Shanmugam, Tan Sue Bloomberg for Defamation

Singapore's Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam and Manpower Minister Tan See Leng have filed defamation lawsuits against Bloomberg and journalist Low De Wei over a December 12 article titled 'Singapore Mansion Deals Are Increasingly Shrouded in Secrecy.' The ministers claim the article, which discussed property transactions involving them, is libellous and undermines the transparency of Singapore's property market. A Supreme Court hearing is scheduled for March 3, 2025, where the ministers will pursue legal action not only against Bloomberg but also against other media outlets that reproduced the article. The case follows a correction order issued under the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act, which Bloomberg complied with while maintaining the accuracy of its reporting. Both ministers have expressed their intent to challenge any further defamatory statements regarding their property dealings. They are represented by a legal team from Davinder Singh Chambers, while Bloomberg's defense is led by RCL Chambers Law Corporation.