Motorsports hub tender under probe
By Terrence Voon
THE Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) has begun a probe into the tender for the $380 million Changi Motorsports Hub.
Sources told The Straits Times that a senior official at the motorsports industry development arm of the Singapore Sports Council as well as others involved in the deal have been called up for interviews and lie detector tests.
Investigations were said to have begun last year, after the CPIB was tipped off about possible irregularities in the tender for the upcoming motorsports hub, which was won by the SG Changi consortium in March.
The tender was announced in 2009, and the winner was picked by a panel of government agencies and consultants.
SG Changi - fronted by home-grown Jurong Kart World along with its Japanese partners - eventually beat two other bidders for the right to build the 41ha facility off Changi Coast Road. The other two consortia who put in bids were Singapore Agro Agriculture and Sports Services, which was backed by public-listed leisure and health-care products firm Haw Par Corporation.
In March last year, government figures praised the winning bid for its innovative 3.7km track design which allows for two races to be staged simultaneously; the quality of the international and local events to be brought in, and the group's financial strength.
Aimed at cementing Singapore's reputation as a regional motorsports hub following the first Formula One (F1) night race here in 2008, it is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
The Changi track is slated to host its first race early next year, and there has been talk of it staging a MotoGP leg, motorcycle's equivalent of F1.
The tendering process for the mega-project was handled by the sports council's motorsports department, which was set up in recent years to promote the sport here.
It is staffed by a small group of officials, some of whom were seconded from other government departments.
Sources said the senior official at the centre of the probe is known as a passionate champion of motorsports here, and his involvement in the investigations has come as a shock.
The CPIB case - which has been going on for months - is believed to have been extended to include the consortium, which received its permit to start work from the authorities last month.
It was also reported last month that SG Changi's director Genji Hashimoto, a former race driver, had resigned suddenly. He has since been replaced by businessman Moto Sakuma.
When contacted yesterday, both the CPIB and Mr Sakuma declined to comment. Mr Alvin Hang, the sports council's director of corporate communications and relations, also said: 'We are unable to comment on this matter at this point in time.'
It is not known if the investigations have been conclusive so far. But according to Mr Chia Boon Teck, a partner at Chia Wong law firm, lie detector tests are standard in graft cases where the evidence is not clear-cut.
He said: 'These tests are not compulsory, and it is up to the suspect whether or not to undergo it.'
By Terrence Voon
THE Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) has begun a probe into the tender for the $380 million Changi Motorsports Hub.
Sources told The Straits Times that a senior official at the motorsports industry development arm of the Singapore Sports Council as well as others involved in the deal have been called up for interviews and lie detector tests.
Investigations were said to have begun last year, after the CPIB was tipped off about possible irregularities in the tender for the upcoming motorsports hub, which was won by the SG Changi consortium in March.
The tender was announced in 2009, and the winner was picked by a panel of government agencies and consultants.
SG Changi - fronted by home-grown Jurong Kart World along with its Japanese partners - eventually beat two other bidders for the right to build the 41ha facility off Changi Coast Road. The other two consortia who put in bids were Singapore Agro Agriculture and Sports Services, which was backed by public-listed leisure and health-care products firm Haw Par Corporation.
In March last year, government figures praised the winning bid for its innovative 3.7km track design which allows for two races to be staged simultaneously; the quality of the international and local events to be brought in, and the group's financial strength.
Aimed at cementing Singapore's reputation as a regional motorsports hub following the first Formula One (F1) night race here in 2008, it is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
The Changi track is slated to host its first race early next year, and there has been talk of it staging a MotoGP leg, motorcycle's equivalent of F1.
The tendering process for the mega-project was handled by the sports council's motorsports department, which was set up in recent years to promote the sport here.
It is staffed by a small group of officials, some of whom were seconded from other government departments.
Sources said the senior official at the centre of the probe is known as a passionate champion of motorsports here, and his involvement in the investigations has come as a shock.
The CPIB case - which has been going on for months - is believed to have been extended to include the consortium, which received its permit to start work from the authorities last month.
It was also reported last month that SG Changi's director Genji Hashimoto, a former race driver, had resigned suddenly. He has since been replaced by businessman Moto Sakuma.
When contacted yesterday, both the CPIB and Mr Sakuma declined to comment. Mr Alvin Hang, the sports council's director of corporate communications and relations, also said: 'We are unable to comment on this matter at this point in time.'
It is not known if the investigations have been conclusive so far. But according to Mr Chia Boon Teck, a partner at Chia Wong law firm, lie detector tests are standard in graft cases where the evidence is not clear-cut.
He said: 'These tests are not compulsory, and it is up to the suspect whether or not to undergo it.'
