9 Years’ Jail for Former Police Officer Convicted of Corruption and Desertion

On 26 May 2025, Koh Kian Tiong (“Koh”) (许建忠, 52-year-old male Singaporean), a former Assistant Superintendent of Police, was sentenced to 9 years’ jail for corruptly obtaining gratification, failing to comply with the lawful demands of Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (“CPIB”) officers, and desertion from the Singapore Police Force (“SPF”). He was also ordered to pay a fine of S$1,000 and a penalty of S$47,700, and he will be imprisoned for an additional 54 days if he fails to pay the amount.

2. Investigations revealed that in 2005, while Koh was attached to the Secret Societies Branch of the Criminal Investigation Department (“CID”), he became acquainted with Chua Chin Hoe (“Chua”), the boss of a gambling syndicate. At the time, Chua operated illegal internet gambling dens across Singapore. Koh began meeting Chua frequently for drinks and entertainment at various KTV outlets and pubs.

3. Over several occasions between 2006 and 2007, Koh (who was then attached to the Anti-Unlicensed Moneylending Task Force in the CID) obtained several gratifications from Chua as follows:

a)    A sum of S$15,000 which Koh needed to pay for the legal bills arising from his divorce proceedings.

b)    A sum of S$6,000.

c)     A sum of S$25,500 to clear Koh’s credit card bills.

d)    Koh’s air tickets to Shanghai and hotel room charges amounting to S$1,200.

e)    Drinks at a KTV establishment and a disco pub where Chua paid an unspecified sum for a bottle of “Martell” and four bottles of “Johnny Walker” whiskey as a treat to Koh.

4. Koh had invited several colleagues and subordinate Police officers along on some of the occasions when he and Chua went for drinks and introduced them to Chua. By doing this, Koh exposed these officers to cultivation by Chua.

5. When CPIB conducted its investigations into Koh in July 2007, he was on vacation leave in Shanghai. However, Koh did not return to Singapore following the expiry of his vacation leave and despite repeated requests from CPIB to do so. CPIB subsequently made an application for an Interpol Red Notice against Koh in March 2008 and continued in its efforts to locate Koh overseas. In August 2019, with the assistance of the SPF, CPIB learned that Koh had been arrested by authorities in the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”). He was subsequently investigated and convicted for criminal offences committed in the PRC. Koh was repatriated to Singapore on 28 April 2024 after serving his sentence in the PRC, and CPIB resumed its investigations.

6. In total, Koh had accepted and obtained at least S$47,700 worth of bribes from Chua. Chua had agreed to provide the gratifications out of fear that Koh might make it difficult for him to operate his gambling business or that he might be reported to the Gambling Suppression Branch in the CID. In exchange, Koh provided Chua with information about CID operations that might affect Chua’s gambling businesses.

7. Koh was charged on 29 April 2024 with 14 counts of corruption under Section 6(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, and one count of failing to comply with the lawful demands of CPIB officers in the execution of their duty under Section 26(c) read with Section 37(1) of the Prevention of Corruption Act. He was also charged with one count of desertion under Section 34(1) of the Police Force Act for failing to report to work following the expiry of his vacation leave. Chua was previously sentenced in 2012 to four-and-a-half years’ jail and fined S$20,000 for offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Common Gaming House Act.

8. Singapore adopts a strict zero-tolerance approach towards corruption. Any person convicted of a corruption offence under Section 6(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act can be fined up to S$100,000 or sentenced to an imprisonment term of up to five years or both. Any person convicted of an offence punishable under Section 26(c) of the Prevention of Corruption Act can be fined up to S$10,000 or sentenced to an imprisonment term of up to one year or both. Any person convicted of an offence under Section 34(1) of the Police Force Act can be fined up to S$5,000 and sentenced to an imprisonment term of up to 10 years.

9. The Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) looks into all corruption-related complaints and reports, including anonymous ones, and can be reached via the following channels:

a) Lodge an e-Complaint;
b) Email us at report@cpib.gov.sg ↗ (opens in new tab); 
c) Call the Duty Officer at 1800-376-0000; or
d) Write to us at the CPIB Headquarters @ 2 Lengkok Bahru, S159047.

10. Where possible, the report should include the following information:

a) Where, when and how did the alleged corrupt act happen?
b) Who was involved and what were their roles?
c) What was the bribe given and the favour shown?

Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau