AGC says Facebook user who doctored article on City Harvest case has taken down post
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The doctored Lianhe Wanbao headline (left) and the real headline (right). The part circled in blue says a PAP lawyer "saved" them, referring to the six accused in the City Harvest case, whereas the actual headline states that it was an outdated law that "saved" them from heavier sentences.
PHOTO: SCREENGRAB FROM FACEBOOK/LIANHE WANBAO
Seow Bei Yi
SINGAPORE - The Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) said a Facebook user who put up a doctored article on the City Harvest church verdict had complied with its requests to apologise and undertake not to put up the post again in any form.
In a statement on Thursday (Feb 8), the AGC said the post by delivery driver Neo Aik Chau, "made false and baseless allegations and in doing so, impugned the impartiality and integrity of the Court of Appeal and posed a risk that public confidence in the administration of justice would be undermined".
Mr Neo, 38, had amended the headline of Lianhe Wanbao report to suggest that a lawyer - who is an MP from the People's Action Party (PAP) - saved the six accused in the City Harvest case from harsher sentences. He then posted the doctored report online on Feb 2.
By publishing the Facebook post, he had committed contempt of court under s 3(1)(a) of the Administration of Justice (Protection) Act 2016, said the AGC.
On Thursday, Mr Neo had put up an apology on his personal Facebook page, writing: "I unreservedly apologise for scandalising the Court of Appeal by publishing the post. I have removed the post from the Facebook group, my Facebook accounts and all my other social media accounts and platforms."
The AGC said it had written to Mr Neo to ask him to publish an apology and agree not to republish the Facebook post "in any form or medium". It also asked him to promise not to take other actions which would amount to contempt of court.
AGC said Mr Neo complied with its conditions.
When asked if this meant no further action would be taken against him, the AGC declined to comment.
In noting Mr Neo's compliance, the AGC maintained that it "will take firm action against contempt of court, including institution of committal proceedings in appropriate instances".
The original Lianhe Wanbao report was about the Court of Appeal's decision to uphold a High Court ruling that Section 409 of the Penal Code could not be applied to the six church leaders accused of misusing millions of dollars of City Harvest Church funds for the pop music career of Sun Ho, or Ms Ho Yeow Sun, wife of senior pastor Kong Hee.
The original headline said an outdated law saved City Harvest church founder Kong Hee and five others from harsher penalties.
