Update: After reading through the court proceedings provided by the unabashedly crowing ST, I now feel that NKF knew its case was weak from the beginning. But then again, it all depends on how lawyers from both camps play it. And I know law like I know 16th century art.

NKF has withdrawn its defamation suits against SPH.

Perhaps NKF views this as a peace offering to the media and its donor base. Another alternative could be that they knew prior to the proceedings that they had a weak, if not inexistent, case. This alternative offends my sense of fair play. Charging into courts with weak claims, using public funds to back their possibly flimsy case, then backing off two days later smacks of a "shoot first, ask later" arrogance.

Yet the possibility of a peace offering does not bear contemplation either. This issue is not going to be swept under a rug simply because NKF has its tail tucked between its legs, or because of its say-so.

Perhaps this is an attempt at damage control. But it is hard to imagine how withdrawing from the suits provide any less of a PR problem, especially when it gives the impression that NKF is trying to prevent the airing of even more dirty laundry.

NKF disappoints me. In a way, it has also let those it has pledged to help down.

Filed under: Singapore, News, NKF