The Police arrested a 50-year-old male Singaporean on 13 June 2020 for wrongful communication of information under Section 5(1) of the Official Secrets Act.
On 12 June 2020, the Police received a report that information about the second phase of resumption of activities post-Circuit Breaker was circulating via WhatsApp messages amongst members of the public.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the man, who is a public servant and an authorised recipient of classified information on post-Circuit Breaker plans, had allegedly shared the information via WhatsApp on 11 June 2020 with members of a private WhatsApp chat group who were not authorised to receive the classified information. The information was subsequently further disseminated from this 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
14 June 2020 @ 2:45 PM