This action for slander arose out of what the defendant had uttered in the course of an electioneering speech made on 26 August 1988 in the Parliamentary general elections of 1988 before a crowd of about 7,000 people at Bedok Town Centre, car park no 6. The trial of this action, which lasted four days, is concerned with the usual, and in this case the most important, issue as to the ordinary and natural meaning of the speech complained of. The second issue is whether the defence of fair comment avails the defendant. The third issue is whether, as the defendant asserted, there is a novel defence of privilege based on art 14(1) of the Constitution of the Republic of Singapore. Fourthly, where the answer of this court to the second issue and/or third issue is in the affirmative, only then will the question arise as to whether the defendant was actuated by malice which would be fatal to the defences of fair comment and privilege. The fifth matter for consideration in this trial is the quantum of damages if the defendant is liable for the slander and, finally, this court has to decide whether in its discretion it will grant the injunction sought.

At the commen