LAWYERS for Liberty has refiled its civil suit against Singapore Home Minister K. Shanmugam in the Kuala Lumpur High Court for issuing it with a correction order with regard to a statement on “unlawful” execution methods in the republic.

The human rights group is seeking a court order that Shanmugam cannot act against Malaysian organisations by using Singapore’s Protection from Online Falsehood and Manipulation Act 2019 (Pofma).

LfL adviser N. Surendran said in a statement today it was wrong for Shanmugam to claim that the civil suit against him was “baseless” and dismissed by the high court.

Surendran said the claim was incorrect and irresponsible and intended to mislead the public in both Singapore and Malaysia.

“In fact, LfL’s civil suit had simply expired as it was not served yet upon Shanmugam. 

“It was not ‘struck out’ by the KL High Court in the manner alleged by the Singapore authorities.

“Further, the high court on September 21 allowed LfL to refile the civil suit against Singapore, which shows that the suit was far from being ‘baseless’.

“We can now confirm that LfL has refiled the civil suit against Shanmugam.

LfL will be vigorously prosecuting the civil suit, which is intended to protect the freedom of expression of Malaysians against encroachment by a foreign country, he said.

The lawyer also clarified on Singapore Home Ministry’s insinuation that the court papers were never served on Shanmugam.

“They dishonestly fail to mention that Singapore’s attorney-general had by letter of February 13, 2020 to LfL’s lawyers, refused to accept service of the court papers.

“In short, Shanmugam and the Singapore government were desperately trying to avoid or delay service of the court papers upon him.”

Surendran also urged the Singapore authorities to grant immunity from prosecution to the former Singapore prison officer who had supplied the evidence of brutality to LfL.

This, he said, would enable this whistle-blower to give evidence in the Singapore courts.

Singapore has done everything possible to ensure that the truth about the brutal execution methods in Changi prison remains buried, he said.

Singapore issued the Pofma order against LfL to remove from its website a statement on executions in the country and replace it with a correction. – October 2, 2020.