NEWS
Business as usual for TR Emeritus
Mr Wan explained that TRE initially asserted it would resist Mr Lee's legal move because he 'didn't think the other side would want to settle'.
SINGAPORE - After a gruelling week for editor of TR Emeritus (TRE) Mr Richard Wan, who was served two lawyers' letters, he can now heave a sigh of relief and continue with website operations as per normal.
This is thanks to an amicable settlement with corporate chieftain Mr Lee Hsien Yang, who sought legal action over defamatory content on TRE.
While both parties refused to disclose details on how the settlement was reached, TRE only said in an online statement that a "mutually acceptable resolution" was reached on Thursday that addressed and allayed Mr Lee's concerns.
The head of listed conglomerate Fraser and Neave took action only days after his brother, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, also issued a lawyer's letter to Mr Wan regarding libelous remarks about alleged cronyism in the appointment of Madam Ho Ching to Temasek Holdings.
Mr Wan told The Straits Times (ST) that he was admittedly "worried that the website would have to no choice but to be shut down" as they would not be able to accede to all of Mr Lee's demands.
He also explained why TRE chose to settle, after asserting it would vigorously resist Mr Lee's legal move.
"At first I didn't think the other side would want to settle. So we had no choice but to engage Mr Ravi to resist the action," Mr Wan told ST.
"But now, thanks to the settlement, we no longer have this worry and we will continue running the website," he added.
Mr Wan, who would continue to be the public face of TRE, said the website "will not retreat underground".
"Right now, we have to do the responsible thing and carry on running the website. We have many readers, and we do not want to let them down," he said.
But he pledged to tighten editorial control.
Mr Wan said the website has learnt some lessons from both episodes.
TRE's editors recognised that it receives thousands of comments daily and sometimes 'unwarranted comments' slip through the gaps.
Now, the comment filter system is programmed to monitor remarks more closely.
Mr Wan also said that the team will also be stricter in their editorial process, especially when vetting articles from contributors.
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