Oral submissions in the defamation suit brought by Coordinating Minister for National Security K. Shanmugam and Manpower Minister Tan See Leng against Bloomberg and its journalist will be heard in the High Court on May 22.
Background of the Case
The case stems from a Bloomberg article published on December 12, 2024, headlined “Singapore mansion deals are increasingly shrouded in secrecy.” The article referenced the sale of a good class bungalow in Queen Astrid Park to UBS Trustees for $88 million in 2023, a property previously owned by Mr. Shanmugam. It also mentioned Dr. Tan’s purchase of a bungalow in Brizay Park for nearly $27.3 million that same year.
Mr. Shanmugam and Dr. Tan are seeking both general and aggravated damages. They argue the article falsely suggested they exploited a lack of transparency in their property dealings. They are also seeking aggravated damages because Bloomberg did not remove the article following their concerns.
Defense Arguments
Bloomberg’s defense stated the article originated from reporting on real estate trends in Singapore’s good class bungalow market and was not initially focused on the ministers or their transactions. The defense team presented their arguments during the seven-day trial, which concluded before the scheduling of the May 22 submissions.
Closing submissions will involve both sides summarizing the evidence presented and making their final arguments to the court.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of closing submissions?
Closing submissions involve a summary of the evidence heard during the trial and arguments for the court to rule in their favor.
Who testified during the trial?
Four witnesses testified: Coordinating Minister for National Security K. Shanmugam, Manpower Minister Tan See Leng, Bloomberg News senior executive editor Madeleine Lim, and journalist Low De Wei.
When was the Bloomberg article published?
The article was published on December 12, 2024.
As the court prepares to hear closing arguments, what role do you believe journalistic independence plays in reporting on matters of public interest?
