Singaporean Ministers K Shanmugam and Tan See Leng appeared in High Court Thursday seeking damages from Terry Xu, chief editor of The Online Citizen (TOC). The lawsuit stems from a defamatory article concerning their transactions involving Good Class Bungalows (GCBs).
Mr. Xu, who has relocated to Taiwan, did not appear in court. He was previously found liable for defamation against the two ministers in a August 2025 judgment.
The TOC article, published in December 2024, referenced a Bloomberg report on transparency concerns in GCB transactions. It cited a Bloomberg report detailing Dr. Tan's S$27.3 million GCB purchase in 2023 and a previous acquisition for nearly S$24 million while he was with IHH Healthcare. The article also mentioned Mr. Shanmugam's S$88 million GCB sale. Key allegations included the "intertwining of political figures with opaque real estate practices" and concerns over secrecy and trusts.
Senior Counsel Davinder Singh, representing the ministers, argued that Mr. Xu's failure to file a defense means the article's defamatory allegations are admitted. He stated these claims are of the "gravest kind," falsely accusing the ministers of exploiting legal mechanisms for privacy to avoid scrutiny. Mr. Singh emphasized the ministers' high standing and integrity, noting that damages are heavier for public leaders. The court awaits the judge's verdict at a later date.