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On 6 September 2024, Geno Ong, also known as "Mai Siao Siao," tragically took her own life after posting a suicide note accusing businessman Raymond Ng of financially ruining her through multiple lawsuits.
Ong claimed her legal fees had reached nearly S$100,000 and were unsustainable.
Raymond Ng expressed sadness but denied responsibility, explaining that his lawsuits were a response to Ong's defamation against him and his wife, Irene Koh. He stated that her suicide should not be seen as a way to avoid legal accountability.
Iris Koh, who was also named in Ong's accusations, echoed similar sentiments, expressing sadness while refuting the claims.
She emphasized that Ong had spread falsehoods, and both Ng and Koh defended their legal actions as necessary to protect their reputations.
This case has brought renewed focus on Singapore’s Simplified Civil Process, with Calvin Cheng, a former Nominated Member of Parliament, calling for reforms. Cheng argued that the system, while intended to make justice more accessible, can be exploited, leaving vulnerable individuals like Ong financially drained.
In Singapore, defamation law does not require proof of damage to reputation. A statement is defamatory if it lowers a person's standing in the eyes of others.
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please seek help immediately. In Singapore, contact the Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) at 1-767 or text 9151 1767. Help is available.
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