Singapore Government: Defamation Suits Are Necessary

The Singapore government has defended itself against a charge of using defamation suits to stifle dissent, saying they are necessary for protection against unfounded allegations by political opponents.

In response to Human Rights Watch's appeal for Singapore's leaders to stop using libel suits to silence its critics, information ministry spokeswoman K. Bhavani said, "In Singapore, opposition politicians have the right to criticise the government and government leaders, but that does not entitle them to tell lies or defame."

He added, "If they do, the leaders must either sue to clear their names and be prepared to be cross examined in open court, or allow the lies to stand unchallenged and the public to believe that the defamations are true."

A judge this month ordered the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP), its bankrupt secretary general Chee Soon Juan and his sister, a party member, to pay 610,000 dollars (413,000 US) for defaming the country's leaders.

Human Rights Watch said using defamation laws against critics "makes a mockery of Singapore's claim to be a model democracy."