Singapore jibes triggers record $43.5m damages

Eleven leaders of Singapore's ruling People's Action Party won a record S$8.075 million (HK$43.58 million) in damages for defamation yesterday.

The republic's High Court made the order against opposition politician Tang Liang Hong who, it said, had repeatedly defamed his rivals in the run up to last January's parliamentary elections.

Mr Tang, in hiding in Hong Kong last night, said he would appeal against the decision.

The damages included a S$950,000 award to Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong, who Mr Tang called a liar.

'This is one of the most expensive words ever spoken by any individual,' Mr Tang said.

Justice Chao Hick Tin said the size of the award reflected the repeated defamation and the standing of the plaintiffs.