Nothing spreads faster than WhatsApp messages sent to a group chat. Any wrong move could land you in big trouble, especially if the message contains classified information.
One of Singapore’s public servants has been arrested after he allegedly leaked classified information to the public regarding the resumption of activities in phase two of the reopening of the country’s economy before it was officially released.
On 13 June, police arrested the 50-year-old man for wrongful communication of information under Section 5(1) of the Official Secrets Act, reported The Straits Times.
They had received a report the day before that information about post-circuit breaker plans was circulating among members of the public on WhatsApp.
The police said the man was authorised to be a recipient of the classified information and had shared it to members of a private WhatsApp chat group on Thursday. The information was then, of course, forwarded to other members of the public who were not authorised to receive such information.
This comes about two weeks after National Development Minister Lawrence Wong’s announcement that phase two of Singapore’s post-circuit breaker plans included the resumption of a wider range of activities, with the reopening of almost the entire economy.
National Development Minister Lawrence Wong
Individuals who commit the offence of wrongful communication of information can be fined up to $2,000 (RM6,141), and sentenced to prison for up to two years.
The police added that unauthorised recipients should also not further circulate the confidential information received as they may be similarly liable under the Official Secrets Act.
This is the third time a public servant was arrested for allegedly leaking information about Covid-19 in Singapore.
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