AGC says Donald Low's FB post about Pritam Singh trial was in contempt of court, considering whether further action is necessary

Singaporean economist Donald Low's Facebook post was "in contempt of court", said the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC).

In an Oct. 19, 2024 statement, AGC confirmed that Low had taken down his Facebook post from the day before, at their request.

It added that it was "considering whether further action is necessary".

"While court proceedings are ongoing, members of the public should refrain from prejudgment of issues which will be decided by the Court," it said in the statement.

"Such issues include whether a witness is credible or not, and whether the accused is guilty or not."

It reminded members of the public that intentionally publishing comments which prejudge such issues when court proceedings are ongoing amounts to contempt of court.

This is an offence under the Administration of Justice (Protection) Act 2016.

Background

Low had earlier published a Facebook post on Oct. 18 about the ongoing Pritam Singh trial.

He said that the Committee of Privileges (COP) appeared to have "got it wrong", and mentioned "a PAP MP". This MP, he later clarified, was Rahayu Mahzam.

Rahayu subsequently said that she was seeking legal advice and intended to "take action" against him for the post, which contained a "wholly untrue" allegation.

Low then published two posts, in which he apologised to the Court for having "prejudged issues in the pending Court proceedings".

He added that he had deleted the original post.

In the second post, he admitted to making "false allegations" in relation to Rahayu that "wrongly impugned her character and integrity".

He also promised not to make any more statements or allegations on the matter.

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Top image from AGC's website and from Donald Low/Facebook