The Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) issued a statement on Tuesday (June 3) to City Harvest Church (CHC) pastor Tan Kim Hock, warning him of the libellous nature of two of the posts on his Twitter account. "Wow, I'm amazed at the efficiency of ST. They knew it while the court is still going on or do they know earlier (sic)..." was first posted by Tan, in relation to an article The Straits Times (ST) published soon after the Singapore State Courts turned down an appeal dismissing charges brought against six members of CHC accused of misappropriating funds on May 5.
This was followed by a second tweet on May 6, now known as "the Ecclesiastes tweet" referring to a verse from the Bible: "I also noticed that under the sun there is evil in the courtroom. Yes, even the courts of law are corrupt!"
According to the AGC's statement, both tweets insinuate that ST had been given prior knowledge of the ruling even before Judge See Kee Oon issued it in court, an action that suggests the court's preferential treatment of Singapore's one and only broadsheet daily newspaper. Furthermore, Tan's Ecclesiastes tweet — which has since been removed — suggests that there is corruption in the Republic's judiciary system.
While the tweet regarding ST remains, Tan has been 'asked' to remove and replace it with an apology addressing both tweets within seven days from June 3. He has five days left to comply, if he fails to do so, he might be very well be held in contempt of court.
While social media have risen in prominence as avenues for citizens to vent their anger, some of falling foul of the law as the government keeps close tabs.
Tan's Twitter account is now protected.
Read AGC's media statement here.
Photo: @KimHock
Read Also: Roy Ngerng's apology deemed 'not genuine', may have to pay aggravated damages; PM Lee demands apology from Singapore blogger Roy Ngerng; Roy Ngerng apologises, but won't pay compensation; Blogger Roy Ngerng submits bid of NMP position
The Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) issued a statement on Tuesday (June 3) to City Harvest Church (CHC) pastor Tan Kim Hock, warning him of the libellous nature of two of the posts on his Twitter account. "Wow, I'm amazed at the efficiency of ST. They knew it while the court is still going on or do they know earlier (sic)..." was first posted by Tan, in relation to an article The Straits Times (ST) published soon after the Singapore State Courts turned down an appeal dismissing charges brought against six members of CHC accused of misappropriating funds on May 5.
This was followed by a second tweet on May 6, now known as "the Ecclesiastes tweet" referring to a verse from the Bible: "I also noticed that under the sun there is evil in the courtroom. Yes, even the courts of law are corrupt!"
According to the AGC's statement, both tweets insinuate that ST had been given prior knowledge of the ruling even before Judge See Kee Oon issued it in court, an action that suggests the court's preferential treatment of Singapore's one and only broadsheet daily newspaper. Furthermore, Tan's Ecclesiastes tweet — which has since been removed — suggests that there is corruption in the Republic's judiciary system.
While the tweet regarding ST remains, Tan has been 'asked' to remove and replace it with an apology addressing both tweets within seven days from June 3. He has five days left to comply, if he fails to do so, he might be very well be held in contempt of court.
While social media have risen in prominence as avenues for citizens to vent their anger, some of falling foul of the law as the government keeps close tabs.
Tan's Twitter account is now protected.
Read AGC's media statement here.
Photo: @KimHock
Read Also: Roy Ngerng's apology deemed 'not genuine', may have to pay aggravated damages; PM Lee demands apology from Singapore blogger Roy Ngerng; Roy Ngerng apologises, but won't pay compensation; Blogger Roy Ngerng submits bid of NMP position