Measures to Protect Public Officers against Unsubstantiated Defamatory Accusations
Prime Minister's OfficeSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the recourse and support provided to public officers who face unsubstantiated defamatory accusations through media, emails, or messaging platforms while performing their duties. Dr Tan Wu Meng inquired about assistance regarding clearing an officer’s name, counseling, and mental wellness support for those affected. Minister for Education Mr Chan Chun Sing stated that the Public Service investigates complaints objectively and will clarify facts via appropriate channels if accusations are found to be unsubstantiated. He highlighted legal protections under the Protection from Harassment Act (POHA), options for officers to disengage from complainants, and internal whistle-blowing and grievance policies. To support mental health, the Public Service provides a service-wide Counselling Hotline, agency-level Wellness Ambassadors, and guidance from supervisors for affected officers.
Transcript
3 Dr Tan Wu Meng asked the Prime Minister (a) what recourse and support are available to public officers who in the course of their duties are subjected to unsubstantiated defamatory accusations via (i) the media, (ii) emails, including mass emails, and (iii) instant messaging applications; and (b) whether such support includes (i) assistance with clearing the officer's name, (ii) counselling and (iii) mental wellness support.
Mr Chan Chun Sing (for the Prime Minister): The Public Service is committed to providing a safe workplace for all public officers and has zero tolerance towards acts of abuse, harassment and any type of anti-social behaviour towards public officers who are carrying out their duties.
Any complaints against public officers will be taken seriously and investigated objectively. If it is established that the complaint is unsubstantiated, the Public Service will clarify and set the facts right via appropriate channels. Agencies may take the decision to inform the officer to disengage from the complainant. Once disengaged, unless new evidence is provided, the officer is also not expected to take further action if the complainant subsequently writes in again with the same accusations or information.
There are provisions under the Protection from Harassment Act (POHA) that protect public officers from indecent, threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour or communication, including making abusive comments about and doxxing a public officer in social media. In serious cases, Police reports can be filed and criminal sanctions under POHA may be taken against the complainants.
In addition, there are existing policies and processes in place, for example, grievance handling procedure, whistle-blowing policy, for public officers to report wrongdoing and allegations concerning themselves or their fellow colleagues to their supervisors as well as their Heads of Agencies.
To support the mental well-being of affected public officers, in addition to counselling and support from their supervisors, there is a service-wide Counselling Hotline that provides professional counselling support to public officers. There is also a network of Wellness Ambassadors in every agency who are trained to provide basic mental and emotional support for fellow public officers.