Public servant arrested for allegedly leaking classified information about post 'circuit-breaker' activities
[SINGAPORE] A public servant has been arrested for allegedly leaking classified information to the public on the post-"circuit-breaker" resumption of activities before it was officially released.
The 50-year-old Singaporean man was arrested on Saturday for the offence of wrongful communication of information under Section 5(1) of the Official Secrets Act.
Police said they received a report on Friday that information about post-"circuit-breaker" was circulating via WhatsApp messages among members of the public.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the man, who was an authorised recipient of the classified information, had allegedly shared the information on Thursday with members of a private WhatsApp chat group.
The information was subsequently disseminated from the chat group, which was not authorised to receive the information, and circulated widely, said the police.
Police investigations are ongoing.
SEE ALSO
A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU
Asean Business
Business insights centering on South-east Asia's fast-growing economies.
The police said that the government takes a serious view of any wrongful communication of confidential information, and will deal firmly with anyone who does so.
The offence of wrongful communication of information carries with it a fine of up to S$2,000, and imprisonment for up to two years.
The police added that unauthorised recipients should also not further circulate the confidential information received, as they may be similarly liable under the Official Secrets Act.
THE STRAITS TIMES
BT is now on Telegram!
For daily updates on weekdays and specially selected content for the weekend. Subscribe to t.me/BizTimes
Economy & Policy
Singapore factory output reverses into negative territory in March, down 9.2%
Tripartism and trust will help Singapore navigate a world ‘fraught with uncertainties’: Tan See Leng
Daily Debrief: What Happened Today (Apr 26)
Singapore must prepare for slower growth at higher costs: MAS
Outgoing Singapore, Indonesia leaders to hold their final retreat in Bogor on Apr 29
Singapore’s growth should strengthen to ‘around potential rate’, output gap to close by end-2024: MAS