Bloomberg accused of ‘unprecedented’ malice as Singapore ministers’ defamation trial ends

Singaporean cabinet ministers K. Shanmugam and Tan See Leng are suing Bloomberg and reporter Low De Wei for defamation over an article published in January titled "Singapore mansion deals are increasingly shrouded in secrecy." During closing statements on Friday, lawyers for the ministers alleged that Bloomberg exhibited "unprecedented malice" in its publication and handling of the article. Senior counsel Davinder Singh argued the case demonstrated exceptional ill intent and aggravation, seeking damages potentially exceeding those awarded in a separate defamation case against The Online Citizen chief editor Terry Xu, who was ordered to pay S$574,000 to the ministers. The lawsuit centers on the purchase of good class bungalows in Singapore.