AGC applies to restrict civil filings by Iris Koh and Raymond Ng, citing abuse-of-process safeguards

The Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) has filed an application in the High Court seeking to restrict Iris Koh and her husband Raymond Ng from initiating or continuing any civil proceedings without prior judicial approval.

The application, made on 5 September 2025, was confirmed by the AGC following media queries after Koh discussed it in court and on her Facebook page on 15 September.

If granted, the order would not completely bar the couple from pursuing legal action, but would require them to obtain leave of the High Court before commencing or continuing any civil litigation.

According to the AGC, the move aims to balance access to justice with the public interest in protecting against abuse of court processes.

Ongoing criminal trial and civil cases

Koh is currently on trial in the State Courts for allegedly conspiring with a doctor to submit false declarations to the Health Promotion Board (HPB) regarding COVID-19 vaccinations.

She is also involved in multiple civil suits, including cases against former Nominated Member of Parliament Calvin Cheng and academic Ben Leong Wing Lup.

During a court appearance on 15 September 2025, Koh told District Judge Paul Quan that she had discharged her lawyer, Wee Pan Lee, citing the AGC’s new High Court application as the main reason.

Koh said potential restrictions on her ability to file civil claims could affect her cash flow and her capacity to pay legal fees, stressing that her decision was not due to any disagreement with her counsel.

Emotional address in court and online post

Addressing the court directly, Koh said she feared the AGC’s application, made under Sections 74 and 73D of the Supreme Court Judicature Act, could undermine her right to pursue civil recourse and prejudice her ongoing criminal proceedings.

She later reiterated these concerns in a Facebook post, alleging that the AGC’s actions could financially cripple her and render her defenceless.

In her statement, Koh also made reference to what she described as “coordinated efforts” by various government agencies against her and her husband. She cited claims made by the late Geno Ong in 2022, who had alleged collaboration among officials from five ministries to target them.

Koh noted that Ong passed away on 6 September 2024, and alleged that the AGC’s application had been served exactly one year later, including a photograph of Ong’s deceased body from the coroner’s report. Koh described the inclusion as “at best, insensitive and, at worst, intimidating.”

She added that she and her husband were “not suicidal” and called for a full investigation should harm befall them.

Allegations of intimidation and online threats

Koh further claimed that an online threat had been made on a Facebook group previously associated with Ong.

She said her husband had lodged a police report over the incident and urged the court to ensure her safety during the proceedings.

Koh also argued that the AGC’s application could hinder pre-action discovery related to potential claims of witness coercion or misconduct by public officers.

She referred to testimony from trial witnesses as possible grounds for such civil actions.

AGC’s clarification and legal rationale

In a public statement, the AGC clarified that its application does not prevent Koh or Ng from bringing legal proceedings altogether.

Rather, it seeks to impose a requirement for prior judicial permission, allowing the court to assess whether a proposed filing is legitimate before it proceeds.

“The Attorney-General is of the view that the orders sought will strike the necessary balance between preserving Mr Ng’s and Ms Koh’s rights to have access to justice and protecting the public,” said an AGC spokesperson.

The spokesperson added that the AGC would not provide further comment as the matter is now before the court.

Koh to represent herself in ongoing trial

Koh confirmed that she intends to contest the AGC’s application and will continue representing herself for the remainder of her criminal trial.

She said she continues to have faith in Singapore’s judicial process but described the AGC’s move as an attempt to “pursue a conviction at all costs.”

In her public post, Koh also appealed for public support, including financial assistance to cover outstanding legal costs.

She invited members of the public to attend her hearings, describing her situation as “a cry for help” and framing her legal struggles as part of a wider issue concerning civil rights and due process.

Her criminal trial in the State Courts remains ongoing, and the High Court has yet to set a hearing date for the AGC’s application.