Authorities considering next steps in investigations against Kenneth Jeyaretnam
Source: Straits Times
Article Date: 11 Jul 2024
Author: Ng Wei Kai
Mr Kenneth Jeyaretnam, who is in Britain, said he is suffering from a health condition that prevents him from flying long haul back to Singapore.
The authorities are waiting for Mr Kenneth Jeyaretnam’s assessment on how long he will be away from Singapore.
This is so they can consider the next steps in the investigation against the Reform Party chief, the police and the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (Pofma) Office said in a statement on July 10.
Mr Jeyaretnam is under investigation by the Pofma Office for possible offences under the fake news law, and by the police under the Administration of Justice (Protection) Act 2016, which governs contempt of court.
Mr Jeyaretnam, who is in Britain, said in a Facebook post on July 6 that he is suffering from a health condition that prevents him from flying long haul back to Singapore. He added that he has been seriously ill with conditions such as deep vein thrombosis, a bilateral pulmonary embolism and pneumonia.
In the post, which made reference to the investigations, Mr Jeyaretnam also said he has assisted to the best of his physical abilities and has made himself available via e-mail.
The authorities said they do not know the specific nature of Mr Jeyaretnam’s medical situation.
They added that he had not given the agencies any details about his medical condition prior to the post and that they were unable to comment on it.
Mr Jeyaretnam put up the post in response to a CNA report on the investigations against him.
The report also detailed how Mr Jeyaretnam had been handed his eighth Pofma correction notice for making false statements on government land sale prices and the transparency of its endowment and trust funds.
The authorities said then that they had been communicating with Mr Jeyaretnam since April and had invited him to assist with the investigations.
They added that he has so far remained out of Singapore and has not attended any interviews.
In the July 10 statement, the authorities said Mr Jeyaretnam should make himself available in Singapore, as is the requirement for anyone under investigation.
Mr Jeyaretnam said in his statement on Facebook that he has since complied with the correction order and all Pofma obligations, and that he intends to appeal the directives.
A check on his Facebook page on July 10 showed he had put up a correction notice, with a link to the Government’s statement correcting his earlier post. The post also carries a comment by Mr Jeyaretnam stating that he intends to appeal the Pofma directive.
Source: Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction.
897