SINGAPORE, July 14 — Singapore Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam and Manpower Minister Tan See Leng have each been awarded S$230,000 (RM725,290) in damages after the High Court found Bloomberg had defamed them in a 2023 article linking both men to a rental controversy involving state properties.
According to The Straits Times , Justice Kwek Mean Luck ruled that Bloomberg’s publication contained allegations that were “false and defamatory,” noting that the article implied impropriety in the ministers’ tenancy of black‑and‑white bungalows on Ridout Road. The court found that Bloomberg failed to verify key claims and did not provide sufficient evidence to support insinuations of wrongdoing.
The lawsuit stemmed from a May 2023 Bloomberg piece suggesting that the ministers’ rentals were under investigation. At the time, the Singapore Land Authority and the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau had already stated publicly that no wrongdoing was found. Both agencies later reiterated that the rentals complied fully with procedures.
In his judgment, Justice Kwek said the article’s framing and omissions would lead readers to believe the ministers had abused their positions. He added that Bloomberg’s subsequent amendments and clarifications did not adequately address the defamatory sting of the original publication.
Bloomberg did not contest liability and apologised in 2023, but the parties could not agree on damages, leading to the court’s assessment. The $230,000 awarded to each minister reflects the seriousness of the allegations and the wide international reach of Bloomberg’s platform.
The ministers said the lawsuit was necessary to correct the public record and safeguard trust in public institutions.