SPH VP sacked for receiving illegal payments, misappropriating shopping vouchers

[Taishi Ci]

SPH VP sacked for receiving illegal payments, misappropriating shopping vouchers
Posted: 16 September 2010 2015 hrs
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SINGAPORE: Singapore Press Holdings Ltd (SPH) said it has dismissed Mr Peter Khoo Chong Meng, a senior vice-president in the English & Malay Newspapers Division, after he voluntarily admitted to receiving illegal payments and misappropriating shopping vouchers handled by his Editorial Projects Unit.

These vouchers were intended for branding and promotion activities of The Straits Times, which his unit organises.

Mr Khoo, who has served 22 years in SPH, has made restitution of S$196,500 for the payments he admitted to receiving illegally and for the vouchers he misappropriated.

A police report has been made and investigations are ongoing.

Mr Khoo also chaired the organising committee which coordinates events and activities to raise funds for The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund (STPMF). He has been replaced in this role with immediate effect by Ms Bertha Henson, Associate Editor of The Straits Times, who will also head the Editorial Projects Unit.

The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund is administered by the National Council of Social Service (NCSS). SPH said in the statement that to the best of the company's knowledge, none of the donations made to the Fund has been misappropriated.

Mr Han Fook Kwang, Editor of The Straits Times, said: "This is a big setback for us. While we do not believe the STPMF was involved, I would like to assure our many donors and supporters that it is our top priority to maintain the integrity of the Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund."

Ms Ang Bee Lian, Chief Executive Officer of NCSS, said: "NCSS has in place administrative and audit processes including the engagement of external auditors to ensure that the STPMF has been appropriately disbursed to Voluntary Welfare Organisations for the clients."

- CNA/ir

 

[General Veers]

SPH fires senior exec


Sep 16, 2010
SPH fires senior exec

Mr Peter Khoo has been dismissed for receiving illegal payments and misappropriating shopping vouchers. -- ST PHOTO: WONG POK SEE

MEDIA group Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) has dismissed a senior executive after he voluntarily admitted to receiving illegal payments and misappropriating shopping vouchers handled by his unit. Mr Peter Khoo Chong Meng, senior vice president in the English and Malay Newspapers Division, is being investigated by police, said an SPH statement on Thursday evening.

The vouchers were intended for branding and promotion activities of The Straits Times, which his Editorial Projects Unit organises. Mr Khoo, who has served 22 years in SPH, made restitution of $196,500 for the payments he admitted to receiving illegally and for the vouchers he misappropriated, said SPH.

Mr Khoo also chaired the organising committee which coordinates events and activities to raise funds for The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund (STPMF), which is administered by the National Council of Social Service. He has been replaced with immediate effect by Ms Bertha Henson, The Straits Times associate editor, who will also head the Editorial Projects Unit.

While the Editorial Projects Unit organises fund-raising activities for the STPMF, donations received are forwarded to the NCSS for crediting into the STPMF account maintained by NCSS. The funds are subsequently disbursed by NCSS through voluntary welfare organisations (VWOs) to needy students. Donations received by NCSS are acknowledged with official receipts.

'To the best of the company's knowledge, none of the donations made to the STPMF has been misappropriated,' said the SPH statement. SPH chief executive officer Alan Chan said: 'SPH takes a serious view of the matter. We are reviewing our internal processes and will do whatever is necessary to tighten our procedures in all aspects, including that of the Pocket Money Fund.

Our external auditors have also been informed.' Mr Han Fook Kwang, editor of The Straits Times, said: 'This is a big setback for us. While we do not believe the STPMF was involved, I would like to assure our many donors and supporters that it is our top priority to maintain the integrity of the Straits Times Pocket Money Fund.

The editors and journalists of the Straits Times want to continue our efforts to help needy children.' Ms Ang Bee Lian, chief executive officer of NCSS, said NCSS has in place administrative and audit processes, including the engagement of external auditors to ensure that the STPMF has been appropriately disbursed to Voluntary Welfare Organisations for the clients.

 

[Medusa]

Khoo being driven away from the Tanglin Police Division Headquarters at about 7pm yesterday.
He was questioned for about seven hours before he was allowed to go.
--ST PHOTO: MUGILAN RAJASEGERAN
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