K Shanmugam on naming and disclosing Lee Hsien Yang and Lee Suet Fern while they were being investigated for giving false evidence in judicial proceedings

Law enforcement agencies do not disclose the names of individuals who have been or are being investigated. This general principle is subject to exceptions. One example where names have been disclosed is where the offender has absconded or left the jurisdiction while investigations are ongoing. Police also make public their accurate facts relating to the case to dispel falsehoods. Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam highlighted this in reply to Parliamentary questions on Monday (Mar 20) on why Mr Lee Hsien Yang and Mrs Lee Suet Fern were named and disclosed while being investigated for giving false evidence in judicial proceedings when the names of the six former management staff of Keppel Offshore & Marine Limited were not publicly disclosed while they were being investigated. Mr Shanmugam cited the variety of situations where it may become necessary to make public the facts. He said the facts and public interest involved have to be assessed. He said the circumstances relating to Mr Lee and Mrs Lee are of significant public interest. The Oxley Road matter was debated extensively in Parliament, following ministerial statements on the subject, he said. Mr Shanmugam said the disciplinary tribunal and the Court of Three Judges had said Mr Lee and Mrs Lee were lying and had been found to be dishonest, and more. All of that is public, said Mr Shanmugam. They had also essentially absconded from jurisdiction, he added. “We take this seriously and those facts were disclosed so that this House can have a full and complete picture when a question had been asked which related to their conduct,” said Mr Shanmugam.