Blogger and activist, Roy Ngerng has raised S$125,206.26 over seven days of fundraising to pay for defamation damages to be paid to the Prime Minister of Singapore.
Mr Ngerng, who is currently based in Taiwan, said that he managed to raise the 87% of the targeted sum of S$144,000 with the support of 1,750 individuals.
In his latest update of the fundraising campaign, he shared that he is very glad and touched that many have come onboard to support him and to contribute to the crowdfunding.
“What I want to say is this, I cannot do this without you. This movement would not happen without you, and you are very much a part of this. Even if you have not contributed, the moral support and encouragement you are giving is already very valuable – you are also a part of this.” wrote Mr Ngerng.
To Mr Ngerng, this crowdfunding campaign and support that he is receiving, is a reflection of how things have changed in Singapore, that people are willing to come onboard and be brave.
Earlier today, Mr Ngerng had also did a write up about his experience after he was sued by the Prime Minister and how he was treated by his friends.
Besides updating the figures of the fund raiser, Mr Ngerng also shared several comments from his supporters as to why they have donated to his cause.
As the amount raised is very close to the target sum, he will be updating more regularly on Thursday so as to keep the supporters up to date on the sum raised.
Background of Roy Ngerng’s defamation suit
Mr Ngerng was sued by Mr Lee Hsien Loong in 2014, over an article that he wrote on his blog, “The Heart Truths”.
The blogpost which was published in May 2014, had compared the Government’s usage of CPF monies to the City Harvest Church leaders’ alleged misuse of church funds.
On 17 December 2015, the Supreme Court ordered Ngerng to pay S$150,000 in damages to Mr Lee for defaming and accusing him of misappropriating government funds. This comprises S$100,000 in general damages and S$50,000 in aggravated damages.
In a settlement deal with PM Lee, Mr Ngerng would pay S$100 a month for five years, and S$1,000 a month subsequently in damages awarded until the full sum of S$150,000 is paid.
According to Mr Ngerng, he currently owes PM Lee a sum of S$144,000. Based on the outstanding sum, he would have to continue his payment via instalments for the next 12 years, until 2033.
Mr Ngerng who left Singapore because he could not find a job anymore, notes that the monthly installment of S$1000 is nearly half of his monthly salary.
He shared that he revived his fundraising campaign on the encouragement of friends and supporters to help him pay off the outstanding amount and get him out of this financial burden that has been hanging over his head since 2016.
Mr Ngerng’s campaign follows the success of Mr Leong Sze Hian, a veteren blogger and financial adviser who managed to raised over $133,000 over 11 days from over 2000 individuals, to pay PM Lee for defamation damages.
Mr Leong was also sued by PM Lee for defamation over a Facebook share of an article in 2018.
Just last month, the High Court ordered Mr Leong Sze Hian to pay PM Lee S$133,000 for defamation, which includes $100,000 in general damages and $33,000 in aggravated damages.
The amount of damage was made in reference to Mr Ngerng’s case.
Justice Aedit Abdullah in his judgement found that the defamatory statement in the article shared by Mr Leong was worse compared to allegations made in Mr Ngerng’s case.
If you would like to support Mr Ngerng’s fundraising, you can donate to:
- POSB Savings Account Number (Singapore) – 130-23068-7 (Ngerng Yi Ling)
- PayNow (Singapore): S8113784F
- PayPal – [email protected]
- E.Sun Bank(玉W銀行) Bank Code 銀行代碼: 808 (Taiwan) – Account Number 存戶帳號: 0886-968-170270