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EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT 2004 2009 26.1.2005 0004/2005 WRITTEN DECLARATION for entry in the register pursuant to Rule 116 of the Rules of Procedure by Graham Watson on Singapore Lapse date: 26.4.2005 PE 354.150 Or. en EN EN The European Parliament, - having regard to Rule 116 of its Rules of Procedure, A. whereas a Singapore opposition leader, Chee Soon Juan, has lost a three-year legal battle against defamation charges brought by the city-state's founding prime minister, Lee Kuan Yew, B. whereas Singapore's High Court ruled that Chee Soon Juan of the Singapore Democratic Party must pay Lee and former Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong S$500 000 (USD 303 600) in damages in relation to a case dating back to Singapore's 2001 general election, C. whereas Chee, a free speech advocate, was found guilty in August 2002 of defaming Lee and Goh for questioning their use of public funds during the 2001 poll and lost an appeal in 2003, D. concerned by the fact that the damages mean Chee will most likely be forced to declare himself bankrupt, effectively ruling him out of the next elections due by 2007, if he cannot pay S$300 000 to Goh and S$200 000 to Lee, E. noting that Singapore laws forbid bankrupts from standing for office, F. strongly believing that defamation lawsuits brought by Singapore leaders are designed to cripple the opposition and are being misused by the executive to intimidate and deter those Singaporeans holding dissenting views, 1. Calls on the Government of Singapore to respect rule of law and pluralism of opinion; 2. Calls on the Government of Singapore to set the conditions for free and fair elections in 2007; 3. Calls on the Council and the Commission to raise Parliament’s concern during the negotiations on a partnership and cooperation agreement between the EU and Singapore; 4. Instructs its President to forward this written declaration, together with the names of the signatories, to the Council, the Commission and the Government of Singapore. - 2 - PE 354.150 Or. en .

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Goh Chok Tong V Chee Soon Juan [2003] SGHC 79
Goh Chok Tong v Chee Soon Juan [2003] SGHC 79 Case Number : Suit 1460/2001 Decision Date : 04 April 2003 Tribunal/Court : High Court Coram : MPH Rubin J Counsel Name(s) : Davinder Singh SC, Hri Kumar and Nicolas Tang (Drew & Napier LLC) for the plaintiff/respondent; Defendant/appellant in person Parties : Goh Chok Tong — Chee Soon Juan Civil Procedure – Pleadings – Defence – Particulars of defence of duress not pleaded – Effect on defendant's case Civil Procedure – Summary judgment – Whether to set aside summary judgment and grant defendant leave to defend claim – Whether defendant had real or bona fide defence Contract – Discharge – Breach – Whether intimidation a defence to breach of contract of compromise Contract – Duress – Illegitimate pressure – Whether threat to enforce one's legal rights could amount to duress Tort – Defamation – Defamatory statements – Republication – Words republished by mass media – Whether defendant liable for republication Tort – Defamation – Defamatory statements – Whether defamatory in natural and ordinary meaning or by way of innuendo 1 This was an appeal by Dr Chee Soon Juan to judge-in-chambers from the decision of Senior Assistant Registrar Mr Toh Han Li (‘the SAR’) granting interlocutory judgment with damages (including aggravated damages) to be assessed in a defamation action brought by the respondent, Mr Goh Chok Tong. Mr Goh is, and was at all material times, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore. On 25 October 2001, Mr Goh, as a candidate of the People’s Action Party (‘PAP’), was returned unopposed as a Member of Parliament for Marine Parade Group Representation Constituency (‘GRC’) in the 2001 General Elections.
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