SINGAPORE – One Sng Chia Huat, who goes by Rich Sng on Facebook, put up two posts on the social media site falsely accusing two ministers of being aware that Fujian gang member Su Haijin had broken laws but condoned it.
He also falsely accused Health Minister Ong Ye Kung and Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat of dishonestly pretending not to know Su, being involved in or susceptible to corruption or bribery, and being part of a system that protects criminals like Su.
Both ministers, in a joint statement on May 12, said they have sent Mr Sng letters from their lawyers, and will be suing him for defamation if he does not make the reparations they have requested.
The statement added that the allegations made by Mr Sng in his posts are baseless and false.
An earlier joint statement on May 6 had detailed how both ministers do not know Su personally, and did not have any contact with him before or after they had dinner with him.
Singapore tycoon Sam Goi said he hosted the private dinners where Su was present, along with several Cabinet ministers and businessmen, The Straits Times reported on May 9. Mr Goi added that the dinner with Mr Chee was held on Nov 19, 2020, and the dinner with Mr Ong was held on May 10, 2022.
Photos of the dinners – social networking events – were posted on Instagram on May 4 and May 5 by former Reform Party chairman Charles Yeo.
Su, a Cypriot national, faced 14 charges, including resisting arrest and money laundering. He was sentenced to 14 months’ jail on April 4, 2024, and deported to Cambodia on May 28 that year. He was one of 10 people convicted in a $3 billion money laundering case, which was one of Singapore’s largest.
On May 12, Mr Ong and Mr Chee asked Mr Sng to apologise, withdraw his false allegations and pay damages, which they will donate to charity. This must be done by May 16, the statement added.
The statement did not specify the amount of damages the two ministers are asking for.
If Mr Sng does not withdraw the false allegations and pay damages, the ministers will sue him to clear their names, and to uphold the clean and honest reputation of the Government, the statement added.
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