Lawyer Linked to Fake Miscarriage Story Granted Admission to the Bar

A young lawyer, Mr. Ariffin Iskandar Sha Ali Akbar, has been permitted to join the Bar after being involved in a criminal defamation case related to the KK Women's and Children's Hospital. He faced a fine in August of the previous year for disseminating a false story about a miscarriage, which originated from a woman from Myanmar and was posted on the Wake Up Singapore (WUSG) website that he founded.

Although both the Attorney-General and the Singapore Institute of Legal Education opposed his admission due to the seriousness of the offense, the Law Society of Singapore did not find the issue gravely impactful regarding Mr. Ariffin's character. The AG highlighted that, while his actions were not dishonest, they were contrary to the integrity expected in the legal profession, particularly because the misleading article could damage public trust in the healthcare system during a pandemic.

During the admissions hearing, Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon acknowledged Mr. Ariffin's acknowledgement of his wrongdoing and his proactive measures taken post-offense. These steps included issuing an apology, publishing a retraction, and cooperating with the authorities. The Chief Justice determined that Ariffin's conduct stemmed from negligence rather than intentional dishonesty.

Mr. Ariffin's efforts to showcase his suitability for legal practice after his conviction included participation in community work and aiding in pro bono cases. Based on his conduct and transparency throughout the process, the Chief Justice concluded that he was fit for admission to the Bar, leading to his official calling on August 13. In a contrasting decision, two other candidates faced disqualification due to character issues related to plagiarism, with their applications delayed for multiple years. In a statement after the ruling, Mr. Ariffin expressed gratitude for the opportunity to practice law and commit to serving the community.