Free Speech

Hi guys. By now you would have heard about the news about a guy who got sued by the government for "defaming" them. Mr Gopalan Nair was fined $5000 for defaming Mr *** and other people in the government. This is the link to his blog: http://singaporedissident.blogspot.com/
But what exactly is defamation? According to the dictionary I have it means the act of writing or saying something that makes people have an unfairly bad opinion of someone. I have read Mr Nair's blog and this is (quoting from Wee "get out of my elite uncaring face as I'm an MP's daughter" Shu Min) the brutal truth: IT IS NOT DEFAMING.

Does Mr Nair make up fake events or incidents to put the government in a bad light? No.

Does he spout vulgarities like no one's business and insult the government? No.

All he does is state the facts and give his own opinions on the incident in question. If this is defaming,then I can conclude that Singapore DOES NOT allow free speech. Sure,you are allowed to talk about politics at the Speakers Corner,but you need a permit. You can swear and insult the PAP in the nearby kopitiam,but you can't stage a protest which only involves waving signs around. No violence,no insults.

Free speech in Singapore? I doubt it.