Questions have arisen over whether Lianhe Zaobao had access to the now widely circulated photo of newly elected Jalan Kayu SMC MP and NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng dining with convicted money launderer Su Haijin as early as August 2023.
Observers noticed that screenshots from Lianhe Zaobao, published on 22 August 2023, appear to show a cropped version of the photo currently circulating on social media.
Freelance journalist and activist Kirsten Han raised concerns on 6 May, questioning why the Zaobao version, labelled an “archive photo” (“档案照片”), seemed to crop Ng out.
Han pointed out that the background in the older published image closely matches the recently surfaced group photo showing Su seated with Ng at a dinner table.
The issue has triggered broader questions about media handling of sensitive political content.
Han specifically queried how mainstream outlets, including Zaobao, obtained the image, whether it was cropped when received, or whether editorial decisions were made internally to exclude Ng from publication.
She further highlighted that although Ng was not a Cabinet minister at the time, he was serving as NTUC chief and was part of the People’s Action Party’s (PAP) Central Executive Committee, adding weight to the matter.
Han commented, “Would the photo not have prompted questions? Would it not have got journalist senses tingling? Would it not have been a big story? Or is it not the same photo and maybe Su Haijin just poses in the exact same way in the same room while wearing the same clothes every time he eats out?”
Recent photos showing convicted money launderer Su Haijin dining with several People’s Action Party (PAP) ministers have circulated widely on social media, igniting public debate and raising concerns over political oversight.
The photos in question show Su alongside several high-profile individuals, including Ng, former PAP minister Lim Swee Say, billionaire Oei Hong Leong, businessman Sam Goi, and UOB-Kay Hian Chairman Wee Ee Chao.
Ng issued a statement earlier explaining that the dinner was part of his official duties to engage private sector leaders and that he had no further contact with Su after learning of the charges against him.
“As the secretary-general of NTUC, it is part of my work to engage with different companies and private-sector leaders,” Ng stated. “These engagements help me better understand the concerns and challenges in different industries.”
Ng added that people often request photographs at such events and clarified that he did not provide an exact date for the meeting, noting only that it occurred “some time back.”
Su, a Chinese-origin Cypriot national, was arrested on 15 August 2023 during a major anti-money laundering operation.
He was sentenced in April 2024 to 14 months’ jail for money laundering and resisting arrest.
Authorities seized over S$170 million in assets linked to Su, including luxury cars and cash, as part of a larger crackdown involving S$3 billion in frozen or confiscated assets.
Su was deported to Cambodia in May 2024 after completing his sentence.
TOC has reached out to Lianhe Zaobao to inquire about when they first received the photo of Ng and Su, whether the image was cropped upon receipt or during editorial processing, and the rationale behind cropping Ng Chee Meng from the photo without further reporting on his involvement.
TOC will provide an update once a response is received.
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