Singapore: PM Lee's nephew found guilty of contempt of court

KUALA LUMPUR (July 29): Li Shengwu, the grandson of Lee Kuan Yew and nephew of Singapore PM  Lee Hsien Loong has been found guilty of contempt of court and fined S$15,000 (RM46,235) today, Channel News Asia (CNA) reported.

Li had been notified of the hearing but was not present for the proceedings.

Justice Kannan Ramesh in his verdict today stated that if Li does not pay the fine within two weeks, he will have to spend a week in jail in default.

The judge also ordered Li to pay S$8,500 for costs of proceedings and S$8,070 for disbursements such as filing fees, photocopying charges, service of documents on Li in the US and database fees, reported CNA.

The Singapore Attorney-General had sought an order of committal for common-law contempt of court, under the inherent jurisdiction of the court, against Li over his Facebook posting in 2017, said Justice Ramesh.

The posting had a New York Times article “Censored In Singapore” plus a statement: "Keep in mind, of course, that the Singapore government is very litigious and has a pliant court system", reported the Singapore-based broadcaster.

The Attorney-General's representatives “contended the post scandalised the judiciary by creating a real risk of undermining public confidence in the administration of justice in Singapore”, said the same report.

Li is currently an assistant professor of economics at Harvard University and lives in the US.

Lawyers told CNA that a warrant of arrest may be issued if Li is found guilty of contempt can be be arrested if he returns to the Lion City.

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