The Police have arrested a 32-year-old man on 19 May 2021 for wrongful communication of information under Section 5(1) of the Official Secrets Act.
On 18 May 2021, the Police received a report that information pertaining to the suspension of sport, physical activity classes and programmes catering to children and youth aged 18 years and below, from 19 May to 13 June 2021, had been leaked to the public and was circulating via WhatsApp before Sport Singapore’s announcement on 18 May 2021.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the man, who is a public servant and an authorised recipient of the safe management measures for sport and physical activities, had allegedly shared the information via WhatsApp on 16 May 2021 with members of a private WhatsApp chat group who were not authorised to receive the classified information. The information was subsequently further disseminated from that chat group, resulting in wider circulation of the message.
Police investigations are ongoing.
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 under Section 5(1) of the Official Secrets Act is punishable under Section 17(2) of the Official Secrets Act, which carries a fine of up to $2,000 and imprisonment of up to two years. Unauthorised recipients should also not further circulate the confidential information received, as they may be similarly liable under the Official Secrets Act.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
30 May 2021 @ 10:00 PM