Three Company Directors and a Senior Manager Charged for Alleged Corruption Offences Involving Town Council Contracts

On 21 August 2026, the following four individuals were charged in Court for alleged corruption and money laundering offences:

a) Phua Gim Chuan (“Phua”) (潘锦泉, 63-year-old male Singaporean), a Senior Project Manager at EM Services Private Limited (“EM Services”) at the material time of the alleged offences;

b) Yap Hwee Kang (“Yap”) (葉輝江, 66-year-old male Singaporean), a Director at Paragon Engineering Pte Ltd (“PEPL”) at the material time of the alleged offences;

c) Lim Kian Koon (“Lim”) (林建坤, 64-year-old male Singaporean), a Director at Seah & Lim Construction Pte Ltd (“SLCPL”) at the material time of the alleged offences; and

d) Ng Lee Peng (“Ng”) (黄利平, 62-year-old male Singaporean), a Director at MCE Contract Services Pte Ltd (“MCEPL”) and a Director at J&M Construction Pte Ltd (“JMCPL”) at the material time of the alleged offences.

2. In March 2020, Phua allegedly obtained bribes from Yap totalling S$30,000 as an inducement to advance the business interests of PEPL in a proposal for a contract with Holland-Bukit Panjang Town Council (“HBPTC”). EM Services was the managing agent of HBPTC.

3. Sometime between September to October 2022, Phua allegedly obtained bribes from Ng totalling S$40,000 as an inducement to advance the business interests of MCEPL in a proposal for a contract with Sembawang Town Council (“STC”). EM Services was the managing agent of STC.

4. In December 2022, Phua allegedly obtained bribes from Lim totalling S$100,000 as an inducement to advance the business interests of SLCPL in a proposal for a contract with Sengkang Town Council (“SKTC”). EM Services was the managing agent of SKTC. In the same month, Phua also allegedly concealed S$90,000 in cash which he had obtained from his corruption offences by instructing his wife to deposit the cash into her personal bank account.

5. In January 2023, Phua allegedly obtained bribes from Ng totalling S$50,000 as an inducement to advance business interests of JMCPL in a proposal for a contract with SKTC. In the same month, Phua also allegedly converted around S$105,000 of funds obtained from corruption offences to pay for a Mercedes Benz car.

6. For his alleged actions, Phua faces four charges under Section 6(a) read with Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act ("PCA") and two charges under section 54(1)(a) and 54(1)(b) of the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act 1992 (“CDSA”), punishable under section 54(5) of the CDSA, read with Section 124(8)(a)(i) of the Criminal Procedure Code (“CPC”).

7. For their alleged actions, Yap and Lim face one charge each, while Ng faces two charges, under Section 6(b) read with Section 7 of the PCA.

8. Singapore adopts a strict zero-tolerance approach towards corruption. Any person convicted of a corruption offence under Section 6 of the PCA can be fined up to S$100,000 or sentenced to imprisonment not exceeding five years or to both. Under Section 7 of the PCA, the maximum imprisonment term for each offence of corruption can be increased to 7 years if it is in relation to a matter or contract or sub-contract with the Government or Public Body.

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; 
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?

11. Under the law, the identity of the person making the report is protected, except where the court finds that the person has intentionally made a false statement in his or her report. Informers may choose to remain anonymous when making the report.

Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau