NParks assistant director behind Brompton bikes controversy charged

SINGAPORE - The National Parks Board (NParks) assistant director behind the controversial purchase of 26 Brompton bicycles has been charged with providing false information to government officials.

Bernard Lim Yong Soon, 42, allegedly told Ministry of National Development (MND) officials that he did not have a personal relationship with Lawrence Lim Chun How, a director of BikeHop Singapore that won the contract to supply NParks with Brompton bikes.

Bernard Lim was also charged in a district court on Thursday morning with abetting Lawrence Lim to lie about their friendship to MND officials conducting an internal audit on the tender.

The NParks' purchase of 26 Brompton bikes for $2,200 each from BikeHop came under scrutiny for irregularities in the tender process. The MND suspended Lim and referred the case to the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau last July. His case will be heard again on Sept 27. Those guilty of providing false information to a public servant face up to a year in jail, a fine of up to $5,000, or both

SINGAPORE: National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan on Thursday defended the National Parks Board’s (NParks) decision to purchase 26 Brompton foldable bicycles for its officers.

Mr Khaw said the purchase of the bicycles was “thought to be a simple and effective way to raise staff productivity”. His comments came after a Lianhe Zaobao article last week on NParks’ purchase of the bikes, each costing S$2,200.

Writing in his blog, Mr Khaw said he wondered if the statutory board had made the right decision and asked NParks and a few regular users of foldable bikes for their views.

NParks explained that the demand on its staff to do field inspections has gone up “sharply” with each staff in the Park Connector division covering 30 kilometres to 40 kilometres a day, said Mr Khaw.

Providing staff with bikes was thought to be a simple and effective way to raise staff productivity, he said, as it enables the officer to cover more ground and do more inspections within the same time. A foldable bike would also eliminate the need for an office van to transport the bikes and the staff to the areas of their daily rounds, he noted.

“A good foldable bike is hence considered an appropriate equipment for such staff. It offers us maximum operational flexibility in terms of usage and deployment,” Mr Khaw wrote.

He further added that NParks clarified it “had no particular brand in mind” and “was open to considering all brands”. However, at the close of the quotation, only one vendor responded with two options, offering Brompton and another brand at a higher price.

After some research, NParks proceeded with buying the bicycles as the bid price was lower than the listed retail price of the same model.

While NParks bought the right equipment, Mr Khaw said NParks “might have gotten a better deal if there was greater participation in this quotation”.

“I have asked MND staff to discuss this case with our agencies, to see if there are lessons which we can draw from this case,” he added.

“In all purchases we should always satisfy the criteria of ‘value for money’ when public funds are involved.”

from cna


05 Jul `12, 9:12AM



it was the chairs the last time. now the bicycles.

we can understand the need to increase productivity with bicycles. but is there a need to buy one that expensive???

About time the law caught up with these 2 shady characters!!! Kudos to the whistle blower & CSI champion.
Diu kow hei low mou!!!!

But note that there are no real corruption charges.

Confuseous said:

But note that there are no real corruption charges.

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Yup. So it is possible that after all the brouhaha, it will be a slap on the wrist, a kiss on the cheek, and he will be told all is forgiven. :o

Figuratively, of course.

Confuseous said:

But note that there are no real corruption charges.

Click to expand...

Dont be naive. Why in hell's world would Bernard Lim lied about his personal relationship with Lawrence Lim who happens to be a director of BikeHop Singapore. If Bernard thinks that the Brompton bikes are value for money, come clean lah. Im sure someware somehow he benefitted from this sale. May not be money but probably he got his dick suck.

This shows that if u want to u can run rings round the system. Thank god for all the whistleblowers!!

slap on the wrist? deployed to anotherr dept after the case is officially closed?

Is Cow charged as well?

Too bad Bernard Lim Yong Soon isn't connected to Pinky, Old Fart or Wooden Goh. There would not have been an investigation if he were connected to the ruling elite.

PrinceCharming said:

Too bad Bernard Lim Yong Soon isn't connected to Pinky, Old Fart or Wooden Goh. There would not have been an investigation if he were connected to the ruling elite.

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Bernard would have sold them the Made in China Raleigh bikes & called them Brompton & they would have bought it...if the 'toe bone is connected to the....'

palden said:

Is Cow charged as well?

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Maybe 8 DOLLAR?

Again, the minister is not held accountable!!!!!!

The pics of him outside the sub courts show him thoroughly unconcerned, unflappable, and in fact seemingly smirking. Go figure! :o

NParks assistant director Bernard Lim outside the
Subordinate Courts. (Photo CNA).

ray_of_hope said:

The pics of him outside the sub courts show him thoroughly unconcerned, unflappable, and in fact seemingly smirking. Go figure! :o

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his lawyer prob cut a deal with DPP

he lied, plain and simple ? what the FOOk

palden said:

Is Cow charged as well?

Click to expand...

Can animal be charged?