The Philippine Online Chronicles

The New York Times Company apologized to Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his father, former prime minister Lee Kuan Yew, on Wednesday and agreed to pay SGD160,000 (P5.2 million) in damages over an article about Asian political dynasties, reported Reuters.

The leaders of Singapore alleged that the article was libelous, and demanded an apology, damages, and costs.

According to Davinder Singh, the Singaporean leaders' lawyer, the newspaper and Bowring would pay SGD60,000 (P1.95 million) in damages to Prime Minister Lee, and SGD50,000 (P1.63 million) each to the elder Lee and Goh, as well as cover the legal costs.

The global edition of the newspaper International Herald Tribune (IHT) had printed the article by Philip Bowring, entitled "All in the Family", on February 15.

An apology that appeared on the web site of the New York Times said that the article had not intended to imply that the younger Lee had not gotten his position on merit. His father is in his cabinet and holds the title "Minister Mentor".

Senior minister Goh Chok Tong, himself a former prime minister, was also issued an apology.

"We apologize to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew and former prime minister Goh Chok Tong for any distress or embarrassment caused by any breach of the undertaking and the article," the newspaper said.

In the past, the leaders of Singapore sued and won damages or out-of-court settlements from opposition politicians and foreign media entities. The latter include the International Herald Tribune, Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, and The Economist.

Agence France Presse (AFP) reported that the Southeast Asia Press Alliance (SEAPA), an organization based in Bangkok, was saddened by the apology. SEAPA executive director Roby Alampay said the fact that many major media organizations were too quick to offer contrition and money was a "sad sight" and "and a persisting insult on legitimate journalism, fair commentary, free speech, and the rights that Singaporeans deserve."