Yawning Bread blogger apologises for post on Woffles Wu

SINGAPORE: The author of online blog Yawning Bread, Alex Au, has posted a letter of apology on his blog over the post he wrote, titled "Woffles Wu case hits a nerve".

In the letter, Mr Au said he accepts that the June 18 post had "scandalised the Courts of the Republic of Singapore".

He apologised for committing the act of Contempt of Court, and has taken down the offending post.

Mr Au also said he accepted that his post had seriously misrepresented various facts in relation to the Woffles Wu case.

The apology came after Singapore’s Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) asked Mr Au in a letter dated July 6 to remove the post that it says is contemptuous of the Courts.

The AGC said the post, made in relation to the speeding case involving prominent 52—year—old surgeon, alleges that the Singapore judicial system is biased to the well—connected.

AGC said the allegations were "scurrilous and false", and "scandalised the Courts".

Although the post has been removed and an apology put in its place, the AGC said Mr Au did not post up the letter from the AGC sent to him on July 6, as he was asked to.

A reminder was sent on July 10, and the AGC has given Mr Au two days to post up the letter by July 12, failing which action for contempt would be taken.

The three—page letter points out that the allegations of judicial bias made in the post are based on distortions of the facts of the case.

The AGC said these distortions include implying that Dr Wu was treated favourably as he should have been charged under section 182 of the Penal Code as opposed to section 81(3) of the Road Traffic Act.

And secondly, that he was treated better in comparison to other cases where false statements were given.

However, the AGC said before 2008, sections 182 and 81(3) attracted the same maximum fine and maximum custodial sentence, while the other cases Mr Au cited involved false statements being given to cover up more serious offences like drink driving.

Dr Wu was fined S$1,000 last month for getting an elderly employee to take the rap for him for a speeding offence.

The 52—year—old had abetted Mr Kuan Kit Wah, then 76, to provide false information to the police in November 2006.

Another offence committed on September 11, 2005 —— in which Dr Wu had also made Mr Kuan take the rap —— was taken into consideration by the judge when passing sentence.

Mr Kuan was given a stern warning.

— CNA/wm