Seven Individuals Charged For Alleged Corruption In Relation To Contracts With SBS Transit Limited

On 19 October 2022, Tan Hoon Gee (“Tan”) ( 陳訓義 , 46-year-old male Singaporean), a Senior Engineer of SBS Transit Limited (“SBST”) at the material time, will be charged for allegedly obtaining gratifications amounting to at least S$35,655 from several individuals between 2020 and 2021. These gratifications were allegedly obtained as inducement or reward for advancing the business interests of the various companies with SBST. For his actions, Tan will face 14 charges for offences punishable under Section 6(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, of which three charges are amalgamated charges under Section 124(4) of the Criminal Procedure Code.

2. The five individuals who were involved in Tan’s alleged offences are:

a) Poh Beng Chye (“Poh”) ( 博明財 , 59-year-old male Singaporean), SoleProprietor of Clear Cut Engineering (“CCE”) at the material time;

b) Lim Tong Keong (“Lim”) ( 林東强, 58-year-old male Singaporean), SoleProprietor of LTK Engineering Services (“LTK”) at the material time;

c) Wang Hairu (“Wang”) (王海茹, 51-year-old female Singaporean), Director of VT Global Marine Engineering Pte Ltd (“VT Global”) at the material time;

d) Chin Tyng Lei (“Chin”) (陳廷雷, 69-year-old male Singaporean), Director of Allinton Engineering & Trading Pte Ltd (“Allinton”) at the material time; and

e) Loh Chen Yi Wendy (“Loh”) ( 罗浈议 , 62-year-old female Singaporean), Assistant Sales Manager of Allinton at the material time.

3. Poh and Lim had allegedly conspired to give a total of at least S$7,600 in bribes to Tan between 2020 and 2021 as inducements for engaging CCE for more fabrication and maintenance jobs, as well as supplying of parts to SBST. For their actions, Poh and Lim will each face three charges under Section 6(b) read with Section 29(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, of which two charges are amalgamated charges under Section 124(4) of the Criminal Procedure Code.

4. Wang had allegedly given bribes amounting S$14,420 to Tan as rewards for engaging VT Global to supply electrical components to SBST between 2020 and 2021. For her actions, Wang will face three charges under Section 6(b) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, of which one is an amalgamated charge under Section 124(4) of the Criminal Procedure Code.

5. Chin and Loh were earlier charged in Court on 1 June 2022 and faced eight charges under Section 6(b) read with Section 29(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, for allegedly conspiring to give a total of at least S$13,635 in bribes to Tan between 2020 and 2021. These bribes were allegedly meant as rewards for engaging Allinton to supply hardware parts to SBST.

6. Lau Yuen Fai (“Lau”) (刘润辉, 60-year-old male Singaporean), another Senior Engineer of SBST at the material time, was also earlier charged in Court on 1 June 2022 for allegedly obtaining gratifications in the form of loans, amounting to S$2,050, from Poh as inducements for engaging CCE for more fabrication and maintenance jobs, as well as supplying of parts to SBST between 2019 and 2021. Lau faced three charges under Section 6(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, while Poh will face an additional three charges under Section 6(b) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

7. Singapore adopts a strict zero-tolerance approach towards corruption. Any person who is convicted of a corruption offence can be fined up to S$100,000 or sentenced to imprisonment of up to five years or to both.

8. Companies are strongly advised to put in place robust procedures in areas such as procurement and internal audit to prevent falling victim to corrupt acts by their employees. Guidance for companies on measures to prevent corruption can be found in PACT: A Practical Anti-Corruption Guide for Businesses in Singapore, which is available on CPIB’s website. Companies are also strongly encouraged to obtain certification under the Singapore Standard (SS) ISO 37001 – Anti-Bribery Management Systems, which is designed to help companies implement or enhance an anti-bribery management system to reduce corporate risk and costs related to bribery.

Reference Links:

• PACT: A Practical Anti-Corruption Guide for Businesses in Singapore
  

• SS ISO 37001

Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau