Tharman opens up about his 1992 Official Secrets Act case

When talking about presidential hopeful Tharman Shanmugaratnam's long career, it's hard to skip over his brush with the law, specifically, his conviction under the Official Secrets Act (OSA) in 1994.
The offence? Negligence in allowing sensitive government data to be communicated to the media in 1992.
Tharman was fined S$1,500, while the rest S$2,000.
More than three decades later, Tharman has revealed more information about what transpired behind the scenes-in his words, "a nuanced account"-in an exclusive interview with Mothership.
Read more here: mothership.sg/2023/08/tharman...
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[@michaeltan2222]

Thank you for sharing this episode of your life. We have often heard of it but never from you in this manner. May I wish you and your family the very best in the coming election and may you continue to represent us and Singapore domestically and on the world stage, in your selfless and humble ways. God bless you and your s.

[@johnlim1678]

Did you ask how MAS lost $30.8 billions while he is in charge?

[@jeffzheng1913]

If he is elected, president is just one of his jobs, he will remain in a few world organizations, so far I have not seen that the president of a country also works for world organization.

[@jawajab5173]

Your story reminds me of the saying, "That which doesn't break me, makes me stronger." Thank you for sharing, and well wishes for your PE candidacy. God bless.

[@bernieone9286]

Good brilliant chap with a conscience and the courage to do right. Thank you.

[@kenken0175]

If only Tharman could be the PM instead... He's way too good to be a president and should remain a minister

[@truestrength-oz5kk]

This guy is a wef puppet and you want him to be a PM?

[@chrisl9934]

It is PAP's way of keeping their power. Better to have a president on your side (even thought he just resigned from political office) than to have one that would work against you.

[@musico3415]

So is he sick of serving Singapore in a more effective role than a president?

[@arsenal_84]

Is just a waste of talent for him to be president, everyone knows a president is a powerless role.

[@watcher4127]

Yes you're right. Just like those Chinese PMs running India the last few decades...

[@rkninrknin4610]

a genuine gentleman very classy good speaker fit to be a president of sg

[@Dragon-gl1rw]

Don't judge people by their looks.

[@rkninrknin4610]

okay

[@bowlampar]

Imagine charging a Cabinet Minister with OSA but showing no evidence pointing to his alleged crime in court. This is so bizzarre. 😵‍💫😵‍💫

[@ashnator7249]

He is always careful in his choice of words and knows how to engage people. He is not rude and an eloquent speaker. Thats why he's a favourite..😊

[@emmenualledelarux2059]

who say so??? how much he tolak u?? hahahaha

[@boogie4943]

He's a favourite? I hope you don't end up eating your words!

[@ashnator7249]

@@boogie4943 and I hope you don't have to revisit your comment. Lol

[@franciscody9622]

Singapore a Barack Obama. A talker not a doer.

[@jansg405]

because you benefit a lot from pap 😂

[@eddieleong6490]

Great interview. It the trial was done today and appealed to the Apex Court, I presume there will be a different outcome. Our current Chief Justice has overturned cases, enhanced punishment in others. He stands for the truth and nothing but the truth.

[@boogie4943]

Really???? How do you know this?

[@blackguys]

this eddie talking cock 1 la, he is paid to do it lol@@boogie4943

[@nathanchen1758]

He play golf with LKY. So, lky told him everything.@@boogie4943

[@philippackiamuthu3613]

Come on don't prove your innocence Zmr. Tharman. Why was there a fine imposed on you. Are you saying, the court was wrong to impose a fine on you? The court found you are guilty.

[@nathanchen1758]

Tharman is not guilty. The Court is guilty. The Court must be fined $1500. Not Tharman. Please return the $1500 fine because the AGC got the wrong man.

[@shawnwong3960]

I hope you win tharman. If only you were younger, you would have make a good PM.

[@johnlim1678]

hope or hopeless. So fast you forgot? MAS lost $30.8 billions while is in charge of MAS?

[@Star-008]

The fact that he was prosecuted and eventually convicted even when LKY is on his side shows that the judiciary is independent and legal system is working properly at that time.

[@boogie4943]

YOu mean it's really not a "compliant judiciary"? Wow - you mean they don't know which side of their bread is buttered? Well I'll be!

[@johnlim1678]

Then he not qualify for Presidential once charge in court. At least George Goh is better. Not forgetiting MAS lost $30.8 billions while he is still in MAS? Thank you.

[@HenryHoe]

What are you talking about. The fact that the court finds a completely innocent man guilty means that the court is flawed! If you are innocent you should not be fined at all. If someone accuses you of stealing 5million dollars even though you had legitimate alibi, all evidences pointing that you could not have done it, but yet the court still says while you did not steal 5million dollars they still think because the actual thief is your primary school friend who stole your lunchbox in school and you didn't complain to the teacher, you are liable for the thief becoming a thief today and caused that 5million dollar theft. And the court fines you $100 for it. Whether LKY was on his side or Pritam Singh was on his side, whichever side it is, even as a PAP man who is completely innocent, he should not be guilty of any charge.

[@benchiaase]

It's not working properly if an innocent man is found guilty in spite of a lack of evidence.

[@jessical7083]

Please. The judge was TOLD to find him guilty, by LKY/PAP. So obvious our judges suck the dicks of LKY/LHL/PAP.

[@eddieleong6490]

Tharman has all the qualities to be an excellent President. He has international stature, the vast experience in managing the nation's finances. All the distracting talk of being non-establishment, about the nation's reserves, etc. does not focus on the crux of the matter. We need a President who can truly represent Singapore and not just escorting a foreign leader at a parade of honor. A President is far more than a ceremonial person.

[@franciscody9622]

Only if he is independent which is not likely considering his deep and long affiliation with the Government and the PAP.

[@DAMNBros]

@@franciscody9622unfair to Tharman that people think he can’t be impartial

[@blackguys]

lol you can say whatever fantasies you like..

[@eszeezee6967]

​@@franciscody9622thing is, even if one of the other 2 candidates wins, he still have no executive power. He will still hv to follow the duties laid out by the constitution. He will still be under the advice of the Council of Presidential Advisors. So this talk about which candidate is independent is overrated.

[@arsenal_84]

Whoever ends up in a president role will just be another puppet to string along with the laws of the presidential power.

[@davidmorais2394]

How could T possibly compliment the then AG for his integrity when he proceeded with the original charge, the reduced charge and secured a conviction when there was no evidence to support any of this. That’s quite the opposite of prosecutorial integrity.

[@aero.l]

Mainly becuz there was external pressure at the time and govt did not want to appear caving in to them by dropping the case. That's why AGO sought a court decision instead and suggested to the judge they could drop the case against Tharman and proceed.

[@davidmorais2394]

@@aero.l sounds more like Stockholm syndrome - praising your captor for giving you a biscuit!

[@aero.l]

@@davidmorais2394 Try to comprehend what I read. AGO was acting on the direction of the government.

[@davidmorais2394]

@@aero.l yes, but if your client - whoever it may be - asks you to do something dishonourable, you cannot follow those instructions. That’s the personal obligation of every professional advocate.

[@aero.l]

@@davidmorais2394 That's a false equivalence. There is nothing dishonourable in pursuing a case of public interest. AGO leads the prosecution arm of the State and its relationship with the Govt isn't merely that of an attorney-client. As Tharman was a government official and the AG is the principal legal adviser to the government, the decision to drop/dismiss a case against a government official therefore had to lie with the Courts.

[@ManoK54]

Mrs Tharman seems a level headed and smart lady. I like her as she is .

[@DuDerize]

So if he did not do wrong yet the court found him guilty and convicted, was there injustice? Is our legal system just?

[@LonganLee]

Your point and logic too strong for me to debunk even with malicious intent. I cannot rebut you.

[@yiming99]

it was for the court to decide whether a person has done wrong or not, so what were you saying "if he did not do wrong", who decided that?

[@LonganLee]

@@yiming99 can 3 courts give 3 verdicts?

[@MTMT-wm2dq]

He still deny wrong doing after being charge and found guilty and was fine.

[@johnlim1678]

Yes !!! Judge ask why he brings the documents there? If he is not going to share then why carry the documents there right?

[@maysanchan4107]

Well explained

[@otooto2715]

So not him, did they find the guy that leak, n if not, scary to have that person continue to work in mas

[@zenweaver]

Well he was not in the PAP at the time but still was not charged for intentionally giving the info.The govt senior folks still worked with him throughout the duration.Therefore if there was a leak, someone else from the PAP did it and the govt knew who it was and just kept it low and have the case closed with a fine for him.After that suddenly he joined the PAP soon after.

[@maverick10sg]

Yes because he knows the dirty secrets of PAP … ! Which could be the reason why he dare not run for PM but they gave him president to collect easy money

[@garywee2909]

Count on the blessings 🙏 international exposure 🌏and experience of the right people for the job ! If you may , do point me a current world president or government better then the one that have brings us through all these years ! Especially the recent pandemic storms where you see countries internationally bullied us by not giving our rightfully mask 😷 lockdowns ban and countries death count as well as recovery efforts!!! Trust the people that have brought us through these difficult times because there are bigger storms ahead !!! Turn the guns outwards together and be as one united people ! 🇸🇬🇸🇬🇸🇬

[@mssekh1]

Amazing how we nit pick at anyone these days . In the grand scheme of things MrT is prime minister material . Wish he could be advising our country

[@Papistrash]

Article 45 of the Singapore Constitution. And in Article 45(1)(e)(i), it said that the person shall not be qualified if he has been convicted of an offence by a court in Singapore or elsewhere and sentenced to imprisonment for a term of not less than one year or to a fine of not less than S$10,000.

[@cavan_goh_reviews]

The term “not less” simply means more, so if Tharman was not convicted & charged with a fine of $10,000 or more, then yes he will qualify to run for presidential election.

[@LonganLee]

How shall I say......the wisdom that can explain this result is that English is Art allowing for multiple interpretations. So the relevant authority approved him based on their discretion or decision process? Sounds good? Even the Constitution can be interpreted differently by different people. Why? I said already

[@zo9fg]

@@cavan_goh_reviews figure was changed recently

[@franciscody9622]

@@zo9fg was the reason given for the change?

[@gracelim2336]

@@LonganLee Even the Bible the Word of God.

[@DarkPa1adin]

Ask about his WEF connections and possible FICA if he follows WEF

[@sm69g]

new world order, cfm have one cos MAS is a central bank.

[@artvisionman]

I like that one : don't know who will deliver first? Haha 😂!real eloquent speaker!

[@franciscody9622]

Singaporeans certainly know the PAP have not delivered a First World Standard of Living after 58 years. But its political office holders have with their million $ salary - the highest on the planet.

[@Drfine22]

Never trust politicians.

[@peternelson583]

Does Lau Goh has anything to say?

[@mrtienphysics666]

How about the ISD case in the 80s?

[@quad6752]

It is understood once a person is or has been charged charged is not eligible for PM and Presidency status ?

[@blackguys]

ownself check ownself style, nothing new

[@markfish1113]

Sure or not no case and evidence against him? Why sg system say he is guilty?

[@sglatitude]

Man of integrity, a fundamental ingredient as a leader, as a new President.

[@CSC-gu4us]

So Goh Chok Tong made a mistake ？ or who ！！！wronged tharman until he got fined..？any current minister got fined like him....？too tired to find out ...in sg.

[@tonykiang9052]

Then call upon GCT n hear him out . Otherwise ownself govern oneself?

[@CSC-gu4us]

​@@tonykiang9052wat is GCT tel no 😊.

[@Papistrash]

Pap change the rules for their candidate good job pap people who overlook this hypocrisy

[@veeandrea]

Interesting that he doesn't say that he wasn't guilty, only that he pleaded not guilty and that there was no evidence.

[@franciscody9622]

But he still got convicted and paid a fine.

[@grassbreath]

I noticed that too, actually. Hahaha. But he only spoke like that for the negligence part and not the intentional communications part. But I was also thinking, perhaps it'd be because it'd sound quite weak if he said "I wasn't guilty" as it'd be his word against others and so he used "evidence" to make it sound like it was backed by proofs? Not sure man. But I noticed what u observed too, haha.

[@eszeezee6967]

1:20 he said "I did nothing of that sort"

[@abcxyz7529]

Because technically speaking the courts found him guilty, thus the requirement of a $1500 fine. If he had said he's not guilty, that's technically a POFMA violation. All he can say is that he didn't do it, there was no evidence, and pleaded not guilty.

[@bowlampar]

DA charged a cabinet minister under OSA without evidence, it is laughable and extremely outrageous.

[@cotton-xb1xp]

❤

[@stevenlim9640]

PAP say you villain you become villain, PAP say you are hero you become hero

[@drwtng]

A person becomes a villian when he does villanous things, likewise a hero for heroic acts. The problem arises when people do villanous things that they delude themselves into thinking is heroic.

[@watcher4127]

What strengthens the PAP is considered a public good whilst what weakens it is considered a public evil 😊

[@kengleetan63]

So they got the wrong man according to him, then WHO was the man the prosecution was supposed to nail? Why is he so relunctunt to name that person, who he felt or knew was the person who leaked the figure? If he could not be forth right to NAME that person , even after the case was over for yrs, can the ppl of Singapore expect him to have enough courage to check and question the system and be impartial in his excercing his duty as President?

[@artvisionman]

The 10,000 fine capped was amended only last year through parliamentary sitting. Prior to it was 2000.00 even though he was ONLY fine 1500.00 So no issue still can run, and will be in Istana soon！

[@johnlim1678]

Another Ownself Amend Ownself?

[@pebblebrooks118]

If you factor in inflation, $1500.00 then would exceed $2000 in present value. They were extra careful here and so raised the bar much higher to avoid any nay sayers.

[@franciscody9622]

Hope not.

[@Dragon-gl1rw]

Fined 2000 cannot take part in the election.

[@tintanhajeaksm]

To survive in singapore u need to be a YES man for the govermant

[@BeachBoi1000]

Means you bring documents containing secrets, but the other party didn’t see it. I see it this way.

[@franciscody9622]

They saw it. That is why there was a leak and he was convicted and paid a fine.

[@sm69g]

yup its just that there was no evidence@@franciscody9622

[@BeachBoi1000]

@@franciscody9622 Why did he brought the documents in the first place? It probably didn’t matter…

[@Philson]

So happening, so many babies 👶

[@wangjinwen7708]

Always so candid. V politically correct. A true politician

[@franciscody9622]

But the EP is not suppose to be a politician. Therefore, Tharman is not a good candidate for EP. He still talks like a politician.

[@franciscody9622]

Will he be equally candid about the "missing" Swiss Standard of Living?

[@MrMr-kz5gk]

Ha ha he is not J B jayaretnam he has no guts ok

[@CSC-gu4us]

Ideally President must show courage & integrity beyond any doubt, Tharman shows which ？Who is the WHO & why quiet so many years then sudden outburst NOW, suggesting court judgement wrong ？dramatic...S'poreans sure worry & think twice if can entrust the top post of country to ....

[@HenryHoe]

If he is innocent, and there was no evidence, why was he still found guilty? He is indirectly saying that the singapore justice system is flawed. If the AG also thinks that they have no case against Tharman then, why did the AG continue to prosecute him if they also think(based on Tharman's inference) that he is innocent?

[@nuttahbee]

He is very good with his words..

[@melvinch]

Wah can even brag about one's own integrity neh? Can I also brag about my humility too? 😆

[@Cookie-CARE]

Cannot brag about own integrity meh? You don't answer this question at job interview before?

[@chrisl9934]

They got the wrong man? So does this mean that the actual perpetrator got away scot-free? Just curious because I was still a baby when this happened.

[@silverpassion3588]

Why never bring the mattress to court but instead the table

[@Papistrash]

In 1992, Tharman was accused of leaking Singapore’s economic growth rate for the second quarter of that year before it was officially published. Then PM Goh Chok Tong was very angry when the incident happened. He said he would not tolerate the illegal disclosure of sensitive or classified information, adding that the government had to “nip the problem in the bud” and prevent anyone from gaining personal advantage as a result of a misuse of official information. So did pap change the rules to allow Tharman to run?

[@utub1970]

Ahhhhhh.. so he is in the LHL & LKY camp. Brought in as a foil against the GCT and TCH camp.

[@franciscody9622]

If true, he is beholden to the PAP. How can he be independent?

[@boogie4943]

You got it wrong. It was LHL who hit the roof and was annoyed about it all.

[@franciscody9622]

Was he MAS MD when banks were allowed to market complex financial products like Lehman mini-bonds and structured deposits to financially unsophisticated bank customers? Many lost their money during the 2008 Financisl Crisis.

[@boogie4943]

You mean you would have known it's going to happen and make us all a lot of money?

[@franciscody9622]

@@boogie4943 You missed my point. Why did MAS allow banks to sell complex financial products to bank customers who did not understand the risk?

[@mypandabear50344]

yup, anyone who read the terms of the minibonds would smell a rat. It’s actually a structured product masqueraded as a ‘bond’, giving a false impression of safety.

[@lucyfiniarel2347]

this happened in 1992. what do u think

[@omega_3_998]

Goodness just listening to him is so lovely. Imagine if hes PM :( .... Its great to hear LHL speak and it would have been lovely to have Mr Tharman as PM.

[@LonganLee]

If not for State Machinery, how? 😅😅😅

[@zo9fg]

is he saying we have kangaroo court? that is very serious

[@yk597]

if this was found out during LKY time, i don't think Tharman would be able to continue in his position

[@ericwong5891]

Hmmmmm.....I see.....

[@williesg]

I dont care if he going to be yes man or not , but this guy had been a great minister for decades , time to reward him with this retirement camp.

[@Dragon-gl1rw]

With his world-class salary, no need to reward anymore. There are at least 40% of the working population living under the poverty line.

[@pohyongchin3751]

要选总统的人需没政治案底，道德清白 才会得到人民信任

[@Cookie-CARE]

谁?

[@premiermitsui5818]

INDIAN & SNAKE , WHO WIL U KILL 1ST HAA..

[@joekerr8037]

Who will you shoot with six bullets if you are in pit with 6 cobras and a kambing ?

[@vijayakrishnanaik]

The new born will be an excellent lawyer, starting to go to lawyer's office just after he was born. 😅

[@emmenualledelarux2059]

all are not fit to be one...

[@watcher4127]

Fake it till you make it

[@littlelilacbunny]

Tharman speaks like someone who has high integrity

[@mr.g702]

No body speaks that Tharman has a history of being involved in a criminal charge under the Official Secrets Act (OSA) in 1992, when he was working as the director of the Economics Department of the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). This case has been brought up by some of his critics and opponents as a factual stain on his reputation and integrity.

[@littlelilacbunny]

@@mr.g702 Bro did you even watch the video??

[@boogie4943]

@@mr.g702 If so, what do you think is happening here?

[@boogie4943]

So do conmen.

[@franciscody9622]

"Like" is right. It is an assumption, not a fact.

[@ElijahdeRoger]

To be honest 3 man up for the race I only see him as the winner! First he work for the nation foar too long and he know the laws in and out👍

[@bulls85]

Say what you want about Tharman, he is definitely going to approve whatever ruling party proposes without much push back. Let’s face it, this is the fact.

[@johnlim1678]

[@boogie4943]

How do you know this is a fact? What fact?

[@bulls85]

@@boogie4943 come on it’s politics, he left the party on good note, so you scratch my back and I scratch yours.

[@BobFisher.]

That's just bias on your part you cannot judge someone based on their previous political affiliation. We've already one president who was previously part of the PAP and he proved himself to be not just a yes man to the PAP and that man was Mr Ong Teng Cheong. So leave your comments for when he actually does something to prove your point not before when you have no basis to do so just because you are biased against the PAP.

[@bulls85]

@@BobFisher. if you cannot accept other people opinions then I suggest you disconnect from social media before it causes you to have a mental breakdown or something 🤣

[@AHHUAT2]

he keep denying but the economic figures got leaked!! who leak it?? him... he should have said he made the wrong friends and had mixed with the wrong company...

[@nathanchen1758]

Any other person, would have been detained without trial, under the OSA. if fine, it would definitely have been more than $1500. But they got the wrong person to be charged and fined. Hahaha. The PEC proposed with opinions. The people disposed by their votes.

[@franciscody9622]

So VTO

[@slacker2747]

Bold the word : No evidence

[@greenteamax]

Good & excellent wife. Glad for Tharman. My family and I will vote for Mr Tharman esp my 97 yo mum. She loved Tharman a lot in her constituency.

[@user-lx1cp8ig7y]

Me too

[@johnlim1678]

@@user-lx1cp8ig7y No thanks

[@tonykiang9052]

So if bcome Pres n issues that lie on side of citizens, you fight for it to the end, not be referee on it, hor?

[@user-jn6bs2hq3u]

Amen so be it,was his word,I form the word amen in my scrabbles,in and for Singapore the best,the very best is no other than the late sir Mr Lee kuanyew,with his thickest pages book,that I believe none in Singapore ever written a thickest pages of book,with humble confession as Mr Sir the late Lee Kuan Yew,outspoken,humble,god fearing man with his wife besides him,amen through revelation 2:16 Philippians 2:16 and 2nd chronicles 7:14 Matthew 4:17.

[@LonganLee]

The more he explains.....😅 I think let's Condone lah

[@aaraonhon]

Nelson Mandela of Singapore, he is a man of principles and an example to all Singaporeans to stand up for yourselves and persist to become a better man. He accepted that there are external factors that he cannot control and still progress forward to become the best that he can be and eventually a president hopeful. Lessons makes him wiser, better and stronger.

[@joekerr8334]

Nelson my a$$!

[@boogie4943]

Nelson Mandela? Really? I thought the Nelson Mandela of Singapore was Chia Thye Poh. How quickly we forget.

[@a.p.selvampanneer8789]

Nelson Mandela spent 26 years in prison for his country for anti apartied movement how many years tharman was in prison??? . Only in politics so nothing comparable to Mandela. So measure peanuts with peanuts not soya beans.

[@mahtienshuan3112]

I will fully support Tharman as our President.Good for Singapore

[@johnlim1678]

Support? Why? You forgot MAS lost $30.8 billions ? so fast forgotten?

[@philiplim2718]

Best minister of the lot.

[@ronnieronnie717]

Singapore.... hopefully our next president Tharman.. he nice to everyone.... he not choosing color. We 💕💕💕 him so much... He humanity... Kind of heart.... Humble.... God bless Tharman.... Majulah singàpura.... Our next president of Singapore.... Majulah Tharman.... We always support u 💯 percent.. go Tharman... Go... Go... Go... We want u..... Become our Singapore president....... Coz u can speak well. .... Go .. Tharman go . Go ..go. god bless u... Aamiin..

[@leichen3087]

尚德迈先生：作为一个古稀老人，我真诚地告诉你，反对你当总统。 因为你欠缺爱心，欠缺诚意，说话不算数。 20年前，你当教育部长，你要一批中文教员，你排斥懂中文又热爱教育事业的新加坡公民，用4000至8000新元到中国请中文教师。我多次写信给你，石沉大海。 当时新加坡受苏州工业园影响，许多大型企业搬出新加坡，我们一千多员工大厂彻底关闭，我们失业了，要养

[@leichen3087]

要扶养老人，一份工作多么重要？ 你把我们的善心当什么？你天天说关爱老人，怎么没看到实际行动？ 我多次呼吁你回答老人金问题，你拒不回答。所以我反对你当总统！

[@HockTan-sb1rn]

Sir, the matter is closed for most Singaporeans. Unless the one in minority wishes to speak up. Or PEC may wish to make reference.

[@christinaaugustine27]

What to do ? The interviewer want to ask this type of questions ….to dig up old dirt to get views🤣😂

[@merlionrockzsoulmate849]

People of S'pore wants to see outsider to be the President of Spore. Not from PAP or any ex ministers frm any goverment service.

[@christinaaugustine27]

Speak for yourself !

[@superbaobao6830]

This guy gonna win and backed up by his organization

[@franciscody9622]

You mean PAP. Then he is not independent.

[@jansg405]

Our president all.along is a puppet to the ruling party

[@JasbirSingh-DailyFootyNews]

He thoroughly deserves to be our President. Born fighter.

[@joekerr8334]

I hope the 76% vote a Chinese as President ! No more Ah Nehs !

[@boogie4943]

BORN fighter??? Seriously???? How do you know he was born a fighter?

[@domanicsaus4290]

​@@joekerr8334why? You scare ah neh come and disturb you ah? I think they see u also vomit la

[@franciscody9622]

Fight for himself. When and how did fight for Singaporeans to have a First World Standard of Living?

[@joekerr8334]

@@domanicsaus4290 Ah Nehs cause problem... Ridout and latest corruption ! Ah Nehs also caused MAS to lose $30.8 billion.

[@Papistrash]

He is not completely innocent, don’t believe someone you guys love so much to be BLIND TO

[@firefly4326]

What you mean by not innocent? What are you insinuating? Say

[@mr.g702]

No body speaks that Tharman has a history of being involved in a criminal charge under the Official Secrets Act (OSA) in 1992, when he was working as the director of the Economics Department of the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). This case has been brought up by some of his critics and opponents as a factual stain on his reputation and integrity.

[@artvisionman]

This is the fact. He had been convicted ! But he is here speaks about the whole event candidly

[@franciscody9622]

The bottom line is he was convicted and paid a fine.

[@mr.g702]

The next key question is whether individuals with a minor criminal offense, who have served their sentences, can still pursue employment within the civil service and maintain an impartial career path. I'd be interested in exploring how many people with convictions for similar offenses, but outside of the PAP circle, were granted similar opportunities. In reality, criminals often provide justifications for their actions, and their well-connected friends can manipulate the perception of the crime, either minimizing its significance or exaggerating its severity.

[@kelv_kei]

​@@mr.g702connections matter a lot. those without will suffer long term punishment.

[@Dragon-gl1rw]

Are you saying the judge who fined him in court made a wrong decision?

[@joekerr8334]

ALL of them are in for the SGD 1.5 million salary, kids ! Don't be fooled ! I will wait for the first candidate to promise to donate a substantial portion of their $1.5 million salary to charity ! But I will not hold my breathe.

[@MARLYNKUMAR83]

He is more PM material than a President.... Lawrence wong should humble let of his PM dream and Tharman step in to lead Singaporeans... Lawrence wong should know that he is not our choice for him to our PM.... people ard hoping Tharman will be our PM....

[@christinaaugustine27]

“Not our choice”? You mean not YOUR choice right ? You don’t represent ALL Singaporeans! 😂

[@adminsinpraconsultancy7633]

He is simply smart 🙂👏🙏.

[@LonganLee]

I would even condone of SAF BG Tan who committed Adultery and betrayal of trust to be a MP again if he runs for election. But not under opposition lah. We dont want those sort. Under independent banner.😅

[@jackolee9459]

I think he will run for president next time.😂

[@LonganLee]

@@jackolee9459 why not as long as majority would condone his adultery?

[@Daniel-ln1lz]

This is our country next Presidential candidate and why I can't even viewed this video. Who's this person who's keep playing with my network and software. Causing me to keep losing my data. President, please help. I reported to the police so many times but seem like this person isn't scare after all

[@blitzkreep4905]

His talent is being wasted on being the prime minister. This guy should I have been the next PM..

[@andrewtay4781]

Bullshit. No one will admit his wrong doings. That's why we have a court of law to deliberate on the charge. So you paid a fine of $1,500 and says you are not guilty?

[@loyckfiona]

OSA is official secrets act……official secrets….can he can speak up openly? OSA has time frame? After X number of years, one can speak up even if it’s a OSA case? Why didn’t he speak up before LKY pass away?

[@BTjs321456]

@loyckFiona, did you actually watch the full clip to understand the full story or quickly jump to conclusion & comment after reading the headlines & assume there is any OSA being discussed? In the clip, Tharman was simply sharing his experiences related to the trial which is not an OSA as that trial had already been reported publicly by media on newspaper, no OSA being dscussed here, relax, no need to always mention name of LKY for exaggeration purpose. Can you imagine people always mentioning the name Shrek when we see the name Fiona? 🤭😂🤭

[@CCLow-jr7um]

A man is innocent until he is proven guilty. So the jury pool of 12 citizens decide on it and it must be unanimous, that is, ALL must agree on the decision.. In Singapore it's a single person who decides, the judge. So actually not so much of proving the person's innocence or guilt. It has more to do with convincing one man (the judge) or ALL 12 persons in the jury pool. Was Tharman guilty? The jury is still out there, or should I say no jury is out there. The point in acquitting him which the judge failed to address was, firstly, if he had no intention of leaking the yet to be published information why did he call the journalist for the meeting? And, secondly, if it was not to disseminate the information why bring in those papers in the first place because they were not relevant to the subject of the meeting? And thirdly, why place it so openly to be clearly visible to the journalist if he was not supposed to see it? I think Tharman did not know that he was infringing on the Official Secrets Act and that there was no intention of going against the law and did not realise at that time the gravity of it. He probably thought he was just giving the journalist an inside scoop prior to official announcement.

[@LonganLee]

So why was he fined then?😅 OK lah, OK lah, we condone

[@Papistrash]

No he is not completely innocent

[@CCLow-jr7um]

@@LonganLee Dave, he was not found guilty of leaking official secret charge but for being careless in letting the journalist have a clear view of the papers on the table.

[@LonganLee]

@@CCLow-jr7um lets condone that then

[@CCLow-jr7um]

@@LonganLee 🙂

[@johnlim1678]

The judge is correct !!! Why bring the documents there? If you do not have intentions to share the secrets then why bring all the documents there? What do you think?

[@eszeezee6967]

What if it was a meeting and the document is for his own viewing. Isn't it common to hv your facts and figures with you in a business discussion? Especially if it's for a big project? Unless, you hv photographic memory and can remember every single detail.

[@awequayzngs1780]

Tharman for president ! Without a doubt.

[@johnlim1678]

Boot this guy out !

[@joedaw3003]

Cool and collected. But what a waste of relatively young talent.

[@compassion7243]

I wish he can fight with goh...give a fair chance for Singaporean to give him a the support...now its like kelong...worst still the player was disqualified...god bless sg

[@franciscody9622]

If Tharman is an economist can he explain why Singaporeans still do not have a First World standard of living after almost 60 years under PAP? He and his former collegues in Cabinet certainly have with their million $ salaries - the highest on the planet.

[@BeachBoi1000]

Then you go other place to live. I strongly suggest you leave Singapore

[@DCurnal]

here you are again... When challenged, you refuse to answer... What is First World Living Standards to you??? What of ours is not First World Standard?

[@johnlim1678]

@@BeachBoi1000 Affxxx

[@DarkPa1adin]

Easy. Singaporeans lack financial literacy in primary school, so we don't know the value of things

[@rz9018]

​@@BeachBoi1000leaving soon

[@khaosmue2114]

For those who don’t know, in civil service, the punishment u impose on a person highly depends on the aftermath. There are people whom the organisation needs to protect. Due to whatever ROI they have on the organisation. These people will not be punished accordingly

[@richardlu4195]

Tharman is an honorable, honest, humble and trustworthy man. No doubt about this. He would have made a great Prime Minister, his race not withstanding. He is very much Singaporean at heart. But I would not give him the second key. We need someone who is truly independent. It would be preferable if we do not hold elections for the post of President but a president to be elected by the Presidential Council comprising of non-partisan eminent professionals and academics.

[@joekerr8334]

Why ? Why stop at the Presidential level ? May as well have a one party state like China. Abolish elections altogether ! Real dumb comment ! No wonder old Singaporeans do not get pension ! They have to worked at McDonalds.

[@franciscody9622]

Why is he wearing an orange shirt? Isn't this the colour if clothes worn by people in jail?

[@singalore]

Dear Sir, you should have been PM of SG. Looking forward to your presidency.

[@LonganLee]

Why worry? If NKS wins, he can still rejoin the party. Its just paper work. He can then run for GE

[@johnlim1678]

[@franciscody9622]

Are You ok?

[@utub1970]

I don't get it, he was found guilty. Would this statement not be deemed to be placing the court and the AG in disrepute? And why hadn't he raise this, all the while when he was in govt and only now after he has resigned and wants our vote as the next president is he rehashing this in public? 🤔

[@jackolee9459]

How low can Singapore go? Getting an ex-convict to take up the highest office.

[@joellim7010]

They are corrupt. Look at their ministers, many of them are immoral and unethical in their personal lives.

[@emptyangel]

ex-convict your mother la

[@airfaze]

did you watch the video, or you equate going through court proceedings = convict?

[@billchng]

Lol bruh. Is not a criminal offense. Pls don't embarrassed yourself just because you hate him

[@jackolee9459]

@@airfaze Then how do you call a person who was found guilty and fined by the court? Pardon me for my poor English vocabulary.