This is Chiam's email to Today's reporter Loh Chee Kong on 27 Feb 09
Dear Chee Kong (Today Newspaper)
On the 25 Feb, 2009 at about 11.30am during the interview, I told you not to publish anything of what I have said concerning Dr Chee Soon Juan and the Singapore Democratic Party, and later re-enforced my earlier instruction over the phone on the 26 Feb, 2009.
Despite my instructions, you went ahead to email Dr Chee for confirmation of my off the cuff comments of Dr Chee and the Singapore Democratic Party. In the event, please stop all publication of my whole interview with you on 25 Feb 2009. (emphasis original)
Sincerely,
Chiam See Tong
On the 25 Feb, 2009 at about 11.30am during the interview, I told you not to publish anything of what I have said concerning Dr Chee Soon Juan and the Singapore Democratic Party, and later re-enforced my earlier instruction over the phone on the 26 Feb, 2009.
Despite my instructions, you went ahead to email Dr Chee for confirmation of my off the cuff comments of Dr Chee and the Singapore Democratic Party. In the event, please stop all publication of my whole interview with you on 25 Feb 2009. (emphasis original)
Sincerely,
Chiam See Tong
This is Loh Chee Kong's reply to Chiam:
Dear Mr Chiam,
Thanks for the email. May I explain myself.
Firstly, it was agreed at our interview that we would not publish any remarks which might be seen as defamatory. My email to Dr Chee asking for his comments did not touch on any of the things Mr Chiam said that might be construed as "defamatory".
Second, my email to Dr Chee was sent at 12.46pm. The conversation -- in which Mr Chiam asked to retract what he said about SDP and Dr Chee -- took place several hours later. I agreed to Mr Chiam's request and asked if we can mention the fact that he had changed his outlook on people after all these years in politics. Mr Chiam said that would be fine as these are thoughts on his personal life.
I'm sorry, we cannot accede to the request of retracting the whole interview because there is no basis for us to do that. At the same time, may I assure you that the stories tomorrow would not in any way be defamatory to anyone concerned.
regards,
Chee Kong
News link
