The Police have arrested a 37-year-old man for wrongful communication of information under Section 5(1)(e)(i) of the Official Secrets Act, Chapter 213.
On 10 February 2021, the Police were alerted that an image of an official document, a Police Look-Out Message (LOM) sent to various law enforcement agencies, had been posted on social media and circulated online on messaging applications amongst members of the public. The LOM was issued at about 7.30am to the agencies, after the Police had established the identity of the suspect who was believed to be involved in a stabbing incident at Tampines, reported on the same day at about 6.30am.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the man, who is a public servant from another agency and an authorised recipient of this classified information, had allegedly taken a photograph of the LOM and shared it via WhatsApp with his friend, a 60-year-old man, who was not authorised to receive the classified information. The LOM was then further disseminated by the 60-year-old man to other unauthorised recipients, resulting in the wider circulation of the information.
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)(e)(i) 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 not further circulate the confidential information received, as they may be similarly liable under the Official Secrets Act.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
15 February 2021 @ 11:35 AM