Singapore Blogger Crowdfunds $100,000 To Pay For Defaming Prime Minister

Leong Sze Hian was sued by Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong after sharing the piece, which linked Lee to the money-laundering scandal at state fund 1MDB in Malaysia.

A Singaporean blogger said he had crowdfunded almost $100,000 that he was ordered to pay as damages for defaming the prime minister by sharing an article on Facebook. Leong Sze Hian was sued by Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong after sharing the piece, which linked Lee to the money-laundering scandal at state fund 1MDB in Malaysia. Critics say the case is the latest example of the government seeking to silence dissent online in the tightly regulated city-state. A court last month found in Lee's favour and ordered the blogger to pay the prime minister Sg$133,000 (US$99,000) plus costs, which are yet to be determined.