Three Persons Charged in connection with Bribery of Indonesian Embassy Official

The giving or receiving of bribes for gains is illegal. Individuals should never give, receive, or solicit corrupt gratification.

2. On 21 November 2018, three Singaporeans were charged in the State Courts for the following offences:

a) Abdul Aziz Bin Mohamed Hanib, 63 years old, freelance translator

i. Eight counts of corruptly receiving for another person, Agus Ramdhany Machjumi (“Agus”), an Administrative & Technical staff member of the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia, a total of around $71,200 from Yeo Siew Liang James (“James”), as a reward for Agus showing favour to James’ principals, AIG Asia Pacific Insurance Pte Ltd and Liberty Insurance Pte Ltd. As a result, Agus’ principal, the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia (“the Embassy”), accredited AIG Asia Pacific Insurance Pte Ltd and Liberty Insurance Pte Ltd as providers of Performance Bonds in respect of Indonesian domestic workers in Singapore. These acts constituted offences under section 5(a)(i) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, Chapter 241.

ii. 10 counts of corruptly receiving a total of around $21,400 from Yeo Siew Liang James (“James”), as a reward for arranging for James’ principals, AIG Asia Pacific Insurance Pte Ltd and Liberty Insurance Pte Ltd to be accredited by the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia as providers of Performance Bonds in respect of Indonesian domestic workers in Singapore. These acts constituted offences under section 5(a)(i) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, Chapter 241.

iii. One count of corruptly soliciting gratification for Agus Ramdhany Machjumi (“Agus”) from Loh Yeow Kwong David and Chew Yew Kuen Michael as an inducement for Agus to show favour to Tokio Marine Insurance Singapore Ltd (“Tokio Marine”). Specifically, unsuccessfully asking representatives of Tokio Marine for bribes for Agus, to cause Agus’ principal, the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia (“the Embassy”), to accredit Tokio Marine as a provider of Performance Bonds (in respect of Indonesian domestic workers in Singapore), in exchange for a 40% commission on each Performance Bond sold; an offence under section 5(a)(i) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, Chapter 241.

b) Yeo Siew Liang James (杨秀良), 47 years old, insurance agent for AIG Asia Pacific Insurance Pte Ltd and Liberty Insurance Pte Ltd

i. Eight counts of corruptly giving to Abdul Aziz bin Mohamed Hanib a total of around $71,200 meant for another person, Agus Ramdhany Machjumi (“Agus”) as a reward for Agus showing favour to James’ principals, AIG Asia Pacific Insurance Pte Ltd and Liberty Insurance Pte Ltd. As a result, Agus’ principal, the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia (“the Embassy”), accredited AIG Asia Pacific Insurance Pte Ltd and Liberty Insurance Pte Ltd as providers of Performance Bonds in respect of Indonesian domestic workers in Singapore. These acts constituted offences under section 5(b)(i) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, Chapter 241.

ii. 10 counts of corruptly giving to Abdul Aziz bin Mohamed Hanib (“Aziz”), a total of around $21,400 as a reward for arranging for James’ principals, AIG Asia Pacific Insurance Pte Ltd and Liberty Insurance Pte Ltd, to be accredited by the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia as providers of Performance Bonds in respect of Indonesian domestic workers in Singapore. These acts constituted offences under section 5(b)(i) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, Chapter 241.

c) Chow Tuck Keong Benjamin (周德强), 55 years old, corporate development director, Alpha Process Solutions Pte Ltd

i. One count of abetting Abdul Aziz bin Mohamed Hanib (“Aziz”) to corruptly solicit gratification for Agus Ramdhany Machjumi (“Agus”) from Yeo Siew Liang James (“James”) by introducing Aziz to James, knowing that Aziz was seeking corrupt gratification related to accreditation to sell Performance Bonds (in respect of Indonesian foreign domestic workers); an offence under section 5(a)(i) read with section 29(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, Chapter 241.

3. There is currently no evidence to suggest that AIG Asia Pacific Insurance Pte Ltd, Liberty Insurance Pte Ltd and Alpha Process Solutions Pte Ltd were complicit in the corruption offences. No charges are currently being tendered against them.

4. The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia was not complicit in the corruption offences.

5. Singapore adopts a zero-tolerance approach towards corruption. It is a serious offence to bribe or attempt to bribe another individual or entity. Any person who is convicted of a corruption offence can be fined up to $100,000 or sentenced to imprisonment of up to 5 years or to both. The CPIB will not hesitate to take firm enforcement action against any party involved in such acts.

6. Members of the public are advised to reach out to the CPIB with information about possible corruption offences via the following channels:

a) Visit or write to us at the CPIB Headquarters @ 2 Lengkok Bahru, S159047;
c) Lodge an e-Complaint; or
d) Email us at report@cpib.gov.sg

7. The CPIB looks into all corruption reports, including anonymous ones. Under the law, an informer’s identity will be kept confidential, even in Court proceedings unless it is found that the informer has willfully made false or misleading information.

Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau