There is no corruption in Singapore...

4 months’ jail for NTUC LearningHub trainer who collected over $26,000 in bribes​

Sandran Samoo was sentenced to four months’ jail and fined $26,570.ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG
Andrew Wong
Apr 04, 2025

SINGAPORE – A welding trainer with NTUC LearningHub told his trainees that the course he taught was difficult, but he could help them pass the course’s assessment if they each gave him between $100 and $200 or even a smaller amount they could afford.

In this manner, Sandran Samoo collected more than $26,000 in bribes from trainees from 2016 to 2022 before he was caught. The majority of his trainees were foreigners.

On April 4, the 52-year-old Malaysian was sentenced to four months’ jail and fined $26,570 after pleading guilty to five counts of conducting corrupt transactions as an agent under the Prevention of Corruption Act. Another 21 similar charges were taken into consideration for his sentencing.

Sandran, who is a Singapore permanent resident, had been employed as a welding course trainer by NTUC LearningHub from 2012.

He conducted a five-day workshop several times in a year. He also invigilated the assessment that trainees had to undergo on the final day of the course.

Those who passed the final assessment would receive a welding certificate.

Sandran gave his trainees the impression that he could influence the outcome of the assessment despite knowing that the test would be assessed by a third party.


The court heard that while there is no requirement for workers to have the certificate before they can perform welding work, most employers in Singapore would generally only allow workers to do so when they hold such a certificate.

Sandran said he told his trainees at the start of the course that it was difficult to pass the final assessment, and that the trainees’ skills were not up to par.

He then offered to help them pass if they each gave him between $100 and $200. He would also accept other amounts if the trainee could not afford the asking bribe.

Sandran was eventually caught in September 2023 when a trainee told his employer that Sandran had asked him for $150 to help him pass the assessment.

The employer alerted both NTUC and the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau, and instructed his employee not to take the assessment.

Upon further investigations, Sandran admitted that he began soliciting bribes from his trainees from as early as 2016.

He admitted to obtaining bribes totalling $350 a month on average since 2016, about $3,600 a year.

Those found guilty of partaking in corrupt transactions as agents can be jailed for up to five years, fined up to $100,000, or both.

Not at all... There’s beauty in doing nothing, in simply being present. For the longest time, I felt buried under a mountain of responsibilities—like sitting still was a luxury I couldn't afford. My mind was always racing, even when my body was exhausted. But once I handed off some of that pressure to Academized https://academized.com/blog/reflective-essay , things shifted. They gave me the breathing room I didn’t realize I so badly needed. Suddenly, I had time to just be—to enjoy a quiet morning coffee, take a walk without checking the clock, and actually breathe. That space brought clarity. Now I wake up without that familiar knot of dread in my stomach and, for the first time in a while, I actually look forward to my day. It’s a small change that made a massive difference.

Ong Ye Kung, Chee Hong Tat don’t know Fujian gang member Su Haijin personally: Statement​

Pictures showing ministers Ong Ye Kung and Chee Hong Tat at dinners where Fujian gang member Su Haijin was also present have been circulated online.PHOTOS: SCREENGRAB FROM TOXICSTATENARRATIVEINSG/INSTAGRAM

Angelica Ang
May 06, 2025

SINGAPORE – Ministers Ong Ye Kung and Chee Hong Tat do not know convicted money launderer Su Haijin personally and do not have any contact with him.

In a joint press statement by the ministers’ press secretaries on May 6, it was stated that pictures showing both of them at dinners where Fujian gang member Su was present have been circulated online.

The two ministers also made separate Facebook posts on the morning of May 6, adding that their press secretaries issued the statement to clarify the matter.

The photos were posted on Instagram on May 4 and 5 by former Reform Party chairman Charles Yeo.

The ministers’ press secretaries’ statement said: “As ministers, they meet a diverse range of people at various events and gatherings. They attended the dinners at the invitation of a friend, and Su happened to be there.

“Minister Ong recalls that months later, at another dinner, Su happened to be there too.”

It added that the ministers do not know Su personally and “have had no contact or dealings with him before or since these occasions”.

Su, a Cypriot national, faced 14 charges and was sentenced to 14 months in jail on April 4, 2024. He was deported to Cambodia on May 28 of the same year.

He was one of the 10 people convicted in a $3 billion money laundering case, which was one of Singapore’s largest.

He was arrested at a 32,000 sq ft house at Ewart Park in Bukit Timah on Aug 15, 2023, after jumping from the second-floor balcony of the good class bungalow during a police raid.

More than 90 per cent of his assets – worth over $165 million – were seized. They included 13 properties worth about $91 million, $45 million of money in his bank accounts, and 69 Bearbrick collectible toy figurines, said Su’s defence lawyer, Mr Julian Tay.

Additionally, seven vehicles worth more than $3.3 million, nine luxury watches worth almost $19 million, and three country club memberships worth over $1 million were also forfeited.

During his sentencing, Su admitted to one charge of resisting arrest and two money laundering charges – the latter of which involved possessing more than $1.4 million, suspected to be criminal benefits, in Yihao Cyber Technologies’ DBS Bank and UOB accounts.

He was also handed an additional charge of money laundering in September 2023.

Another nine people were arrested alongside Su, including Chinese nationals Zhang Ruijin and Lin Baoying, who were both sentenced to 15 months in jail; Cambodian nationals Chen Qingyuan, Su Baolin and Su Wenqiang, who were sentenced to 15, 14 and 13 months’ jail, respectively; Vanuatu national Su Jianfeng, who was sentenced to 17 months in jail; and Turkish national Vang Shuiming, who received a sentence of 13 months and six weeks’ jail.

The PAP Government upholds a high standard of integrity, the statement said, and the ministers are determined to uphold this, even though in the course of their work, they may inadvertently come into contact with people who are later established to be unsavoury.

“Maintaining this standard is non-negotiable,” it said.

​

Ng Chee Meng addresses Su Haijin photo, controversial MOE dialogue; asks not to be given govt role​

Labour chief Ng Chee Meng (left) also responded to a photo of him with Su Haijin, who was later convicted of money laundering, that has been circulating.PHOTOS: SCREENGRAB FROM TOXICSTATENARRATIVEINSG/INSTAGRAM
Samuel Devaraj and Sue-Ann Tan
May 06, 2025

SINGAPORE – Labour chief and Jalan Kayu MP Ng Chee Meng has asked Prime Minister Lawrence Wong to not assign him any position in government.

“Over the next five years, I will focus on my duties as the MP in Jalan Kayu and my role as secretary-general of NTUC. The needs of my residents and all Singaporean workers are my priorities,” he said, adding that PM Wong has agreed to consider his request.

In a statement issued on May 6, Mr Ng also apologised in response to criticisms about his conduct at a Ministry of Education (MOE) dialogue in 2017, and addressed a photo that has surfaced of him with Fujian gang member Su Haijin, who was later convicted of money laundering.

On the MOE dialogue, Mr Ng said: “I do not remember the exact words I used that day as close to a decade has passed since the dialogue. I regret if any of my remarks came across as disrespectful, especially when the participants had raised questions in good faith.”

Online posts had circulated about what Mr Ng had supposedly said during a dialogue with teachers during his time as education minister (schools).

The series of Instagram stories by a poster who used to be with MOE claimed Mr Ng had reacted angrily to a question, and that he also asked attendees if they read fiction or serious books.

Mr Ng said: “I could have handled the situation better. I sincerely apologise. I have received and accepted the feedback, and will continue to do better.”

He added that he greatly values the work that teachers do every day, and that they make a tremendous difference in students’ lives.

Regarding the dinner with Su, Mr Ng said it took place some time back, and he had no further interactions with Su after police investigations and criminal charges were brought against him.

He said it is part of his work as labour chief to engage with different companies and private sector leaders.

“These engagements help me better understand the concerns and challenges in different industries,” he said, adding that people would often approach him for photographs at these meetings.

“This dinner was one such engagement,” Mr Ng said.

His statement follows one from the press secretaries of Health Minister Ong Ye Kung and Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat, who addressed pictures circulating online showing both ministers at dinners where Su was present.

Former Reform Party chairman Charles Yeo had posted a picture of Su and Mr Ng at a dinner, as well as pictures of Mr Ong and Mr Chee with Su.

Earlier on May 6, the press secretaries of Mr Ong and Mr Chee, who is also Second Minister for Finance, said in a joint statement that the ministers do not know Su personally, and do not have any contact with him.

The statement added: “As ministers, they meet a diverse range of people at various events and gatherings. They attended the dinners at the invitation of a friend, and Su happened to be there.”

Also appearing in the photos is local tycoon Sam Goi, dubbed the “popiah king”. One group photo shows Mr Goi with Su, Mr Ong and former Cabinet minister Lim Swee Say.

Mr Goi told Bloomberg News that the dinner with Su and Mr Ng took place “around 2020”.

He also said he had organised and paid for the meals that Su and the ministers attended, which took place before Singapore implemented strict Covid-19 pandemic restrictions later that year.

“It’s all for friends and I paid for them all,” the businessman told Bloomberg, adding that he has not kept in touch with Su.

Responding to queries, Mr Lim said he was invited to a dinner between friends.

“When we got there, we saw a stranger at the dinner too. The dinner was a social gathering among good old friends, in the presence of spouses. Su was the only stranger there. No idea why he was included since it was a gathering of good old friends,” he told ST.

“I did not know him before the dinner. I did not have any contact with him after the dinner,” Mr Lim added.

Su, a Cypriot national, was among 10 foreigners arrested in a $3 billion money laundering case on Aug 15, 2023. He was sentenced to 14 months’ jail in April 2024 after admitting to one charge of resisting arrest and two money laundering charges. Another 11 charges were taken into consideration during sentencing.

The 10 involved in the case received between 13 and 17 months’ jail and were all deported after their release from prison.

In the 2025 General Election, Mr Ng beat WP fresh face Andre Low in the Jalan Kayu single seat after he garnered 51.47 per cent of the vote.

During his post-election press conference, PM Wong was asked what role Mr Ng could play in his Cabinet.

PM Wong replied that in previous Cabinet line-ups, the labour chief “would potentially have a role in Cabinet”. He added that he would unveil the line-up in due course at a separate press conference.

Mr Ng was chief of defence force before entering politics in 2015 and winning in Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC as part of a PAP team. He went on to hold several Cabinet positions, including education minister (schools) and second minister for transport.

In 2020, he helmed the PAP team to contest the newly created Sengkang GRC, but lost to a WP team.

He has been the secretary-general of the National Trades Union Congress since 2018.

In a Facebook post on May 6, Mr Ng acknowledged the public attention and concern around the photos and comments of him circulating online.

“Thank you residents, union leaders, colleagues and supporters who have continued to encourage and support me,” he said.

Ex-IPP director Goh Jin Hian wins appeal, court says firm failed to prove his breach caused losses​

Goh Jin Hian outside the State Courts on Sept 20, 2023.PHOTO: SHIN MIN DAILY NEWS FILE

Grace Leong
Jun 05, 2025

SINGAPORE - The Court of Appeal has found Goh Jin Hian, a former director of insolvent marine fuel supplier Inter-Pacific Petroleum (IPP), is not liable to pay US$146 million (S$187 million) plus interest in compensation for losses suffered by the firm.

In overturning a lower court ruling that found Goh was not entitled to relief from liability, the Appellate division of the High Court clarified that “it cannot be part of a director’s duty of supervision and oversight to pick up fraud unless there are tell-tale warning signs.

“A director may be a sentinel, but he is not a forensics investigator or a sleuth, unless there are signs that would put him on inquiry,” according to a 63-page ruling on June 5 delivered by Justice Kannan Ramesh, a Judge of the Appellate division.

“While we agree with the (High Court) Judge that Dr Goh had breached the care duty by reason of his ignorance of the cargo trading business, IPP has failed to show... that the breach caused the loss in question,” the Appellate court said.

Goh, the son of former prime minister Goh Chok Tong, served as a director of IPP from June 28, 2011, to August 2019.

Senior Counsel Thio Shen Yi of TSMP Law Corp, who represented Goh, noted that the latest decision is an important clarification on the law of the duties of directors.

“Dr Goh has always maintained that his conduct caused no avoidable loss to IPP, and we believe he has been vindicated. This is an important decision that has practical implications for all directors,” said Mr Thio, who acted for Goh with Ms Nanthini Vijayakumar, a partner of TSMP Law.

Deloitte & Touche, IPP’s judicial managers turned liquidators, had sued Goh to recover US$156 million in losses, accusing him of “sleepwalking through his time as a director”, and failing to discover and stop drawdowns in trade financing between June 2019 and July 2019 to fund alleged non-existent or sham transactions.

High Court Justice Aedit Abdullah had found that Goh is not entitled to relief from liability because of “the egregiousness of his breaches of duty, chief among which was his ignorance as to IPP’s cargo trading business” – a “vehicle of fraud” that had “disastrous consequences” for the company.

Goh had appealed the ruling in February 2024 that found him liable for breach of director’s duties and statutory duties and losses suffered by IPP.

In allowing Goh’s appeal, the Appellate court found that the three purported red flags that IPP relied on “were not in fact red flags that would have put Dr Goh on a train of inquiry leading to the fraud in the cargo trading business being uncovered and the loss thereby averted.”

The Appellate court concluded that this was a case of “deep-seated fraud.”

Although Dr Goh was not aware of the cargo trading business, the court ruled that “it does not follow that if Dr Goh had been aware of the cargo trading business, he would have discovered the fraud and thereby put a stop to it”.

“There is no suggestion by IPP there were any, apart from the ‘red flags’, which we have concluded were not in fact red flags. Further, there was no allegation that the auditor and IPP’s financial manager alerted Dr Goh of any issues with the accounts, or that the monthly management accounts and financial statements suggested anything untoward.

“Thus, there is nothing to the point that if Dr Goh had been aware of the cargo trading business, he would have exercised oversight in a manner which would have picked up the fraud and averted the loss.” the Appellate court wrote.

Mr Thio said: “Directors owe fiduciary obligations and duties of care to a company but the Appeals Court has crucially recognised the practical and commercial limits to their ability to scrutinise for and detect fraud, especially deep-seated fraud. This acknowledges the complex commercial realities that directors often operate in.”

There is no cronyism in Singapore

Former senior minister Teo Chee Hean to be next Temasek chairman, taking over from Lim Boon Heng​

Mr Teo Chee Hean will first join Temasek’s board as deputy chairman on July 1, before taking the helm in October.PHOTO: ST FILE

Timothy Goh
Jun 06, 2025, 02:44 PM

SINGAPORE – Former senior minister Teo Chee Hean will be the new chairman for state investor Temasek Holdings, succeeding Mr Lim Boon Heng, who will be stepping down on Oct 9, 2025.

Mr Teo will first join Temasek’s board as deputy chairman on July 1, before taking the helm in October.

Mr Lim has served as the chairman for 12 years, notably guiding Temasek’s global expansion and supporting the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, among other efforts such as in corporate governance and sustainability.

In a separate statement, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said: “I thank Mr Lim for his dedicated service at Temasek – under his stewardship, Temasek has expanded its global presence, strengthened its governance processes, and established itself as a leader in sustainable development.”

“I also welcome Mr Teo as the incoming chairman. With his extensive experience in public service and deep understanding of Singapore’s strategic priorities, I am confident he will build on Temasek’s strong foundations, and steer its continued success in an increasingly complex global environment,” added Mr Wong, who is also Finance Minister.

Temasek executive director and chief executive Dilhan Pillay Sandrasegara said on June 6 that Mr Teo has had a “remarkable” public service career across multiple domains.

“I’m pleased to welcome Mr Teo Chee Hean as our fifth chairman... We are privileged that Temasek can benefit from his perspectives and extensive experiences, and we look forward to his stewardship as we navigate the opportunities and challenges ahead,” he said.

Mr Teo, a key figure in Singapore’s third-generation leadership, served as deputy prime minister from 2009 to 2019 and as Coordinating Minister for National Security from 2011. He was appointed Senior Minister in 2019.

He began his career in the navy in 1972 and rose to become chief of navy before leaving the armed forces in 1992 to enter politics.

His first Cabinet role was as minister of state for finance and communications. He later held ministerial portfolios in home affairs, defence, education and environment.

Temasek also announced on June 6 that Mr Cheng Wai Keung, Mr Stephen Lee and Mr Bobby Chin will be retiring from the board in the coming months.

Mr Cheng, who is deputy chairman, and Mr Lee, a director, will step down on June 30 after nearly 14 years and eight years of service, respectively. Mr Chin, also a director, will retire on July 31 after serving for 11 years.

Temasek has a net portfolio value of $389 billion as of March 21, 2024. It is a significant contributor to Net Investment Returns Contribution (NIRC), alongside sovereign wealth fund GIC and central bank Monetary Authority of Singapore, which is used for Government spending.

Mr Teo noted that in an “era of deepening global uncertainty”, Temasek must remain clear minded on critical matters such as international relations, security and climate change.

“As a key Singapore institution with a global investment footprint, Temasek understands that its long-term success requires both addressing today’s risks and opportunities and anticipating tomorrow’s trends,” he said.

“I look forward to working with Temasek’s Board, management team and members of the wider Temasek family to build on the achievements of Temasek and chart a path for its continued success in the new global environment.”

​

CNB officer who lied to judge during colleague’s 2021 assault trial gets 18 months’ jail​

Shaffiq Alkhatib
Dec 23, 2024

SINGAPORE – A Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) sergeant gave false testimony in court at an earlier trial involving his colleague, who was accused of assaulting a drug offender at the time.

During the trial in 2021, Muhammad Heykal Rahman, who had nearly 10 years of work experience with the bureau, denied seeing his then colleague Vengedesh Raj Nainar Nagarajan assaulting Sivabalan Kanniappan.

However, the court heard that when Sivabalan, a Malaysian, pleaded with Heykal to help stop the assault, Heykal told him: “I cannot do anything. If he (beats) you, then he (beats) you.”

On Dec 23, Heykal, 36, was sentenced to a year and six months’ jail after he pleaded guilty to one count of giving false evidence to District Judge Salina Ishak during Vengedesh’s trial.

Another charge of giving false information to a police officer in 2018 during an investigation into the assault was considered during sentencing.

He had committed the offences to cover up Vengedesh’s wrongdoing.

In an earlier statement sent to The Straits Times, CNB did not mention if Heykal is still an officer with the bureau.

However, a CNB spokesperson said it had investigated the complaint against Vengedesh and referred the case to the police for criminal investigation.

Referring to Vengedesh as “Raj” , Deputy Public Prosecutor Joseph Gwee said on Dec 23: “(Heykal’s) actions were serious and jeopardised the judicial process.

“Based on (Heykal’s) testimony, the learned district judge in Raj’s case could have wrongfully acquitted Raj of his wrongdoing.”

Vengedesh, then 35, was sentenced to five years’ jail in April 2022 after Judge Salina convicted him of three counts of voluntarily causing hurt to extort a confession from Sivabalan.

He was also fined $4,000 after admitting to an unrelated harassment charge for using abusive words on a policeman.

Sivabalan, then 34, was convicted of drug offences and given 15 years’ jail with 13 strokes of the cane. DPP Gwee did not give details about these offences.

Sivabalan was stopped for an inspection when he entered Singapore via the Woodlands Checkpoint around 3.40am on Jan 2, 2017.

A blue bundle, suspected to contain controlled drugs, was found in a raincoat bag inside the rear box of his motorcycle.

Sivabalan was handed over to the CNB’s Woodlands team and an officer recorded a statement from him.

In the statement, Sivabalan denied knowledge of the blue bundle. He claimed he had lent his motorcycle to his roommate, known as “Sivan”.

Sivabalan later provided a urine sample. Vengedesh, then a corporal with the bureau, arrived at the Woodlands Checkpoint CNB office that morning after he was activated to attend to the case.

When the two men met, Sivabalan noticed that Vengedesh reeked of alcohol, the court heard in earlier proceedings.

Vengedesh, who wanted to secure a “quick confession” from Sivabalan, took the Malaysian to a toilet and Heykal followed them.

DPP Gwee said: “Between 5.58am and 6.14am in the toilet, Raj voluntarily caused hurt to Sivabalan by kicking, punching and slapping him for the purpose of extorting... a confession that Sivabalan knew about the... bundle of drugs.

“As a result of Raj’s actions, Sivabalan admitted he knew about (the drugs). At all material times, (Heykal) was present in the toilet when Raj committed the said assault on Sivabalan.”

Vengedesh was later charged in court over the assault and claimed trial. During his trial, Sivabalan testified that Heykal was standing near the toilet door, observing the assault.

However, when Heykal took the stand, he told the court that he was too busy looking through devices, including Sivabalan’s mobile phone, at the time.

DPP Gwee said: “(Heykal) additionally claimed in court that Raj spoke in a normal tone with Sivabalan in the toilet, whereas Raj and Sivabalan both testified that he had questioned Sivabalan in a loud voice.

“(Heykal) was also unable to explain why he had remained in the toilet with Sivabalan.”

When asked about what had transpired between him and Sivabalan after Vengedesh left the toilet at 6.14am, Heykal provided very tentative answers.

CCTV footage later showed that Heykal was in the toilet during the assault and he was charged in court in 2023.

34 months’ jail for ex-cop over $36k in bribes; earlier sentenced in 2024 for another graft case​

Poo Tze Chiang arriving at the State Courts on Feb 28. The former police office rwill start serving his latest sentence after completing his earlier one.ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG

Shaffiq Alkhatib
Jun 16, 2025

SINGAPORE - A former police officer was sentenced to two years and 10 months’ jail on June 16 after he received $36,000 in bribes.

Poo Tze Chiang, 47, was also ordered to pay a penalty of $36,000 – the amount of bribes involved – and will have to spend an additional 15 weeks behind bars if he fails to fork out this amount.

In 2024, he was sentenced to 6½ years’ jail after receiving $32,500 in bribes in unrelated offences.

For this earlier case, he was also ordered to pay a penalty of $32,500 and would have to spend an additional 13 weeks and seven days behind bars in default.

On June 16, the court heard that he will start serving his latest sentence after completing his earlier one.

Defence lawyer K. Jayakumar Naidu told The Straits Times that his client is no longer a police officer.

Poo, who was a station inspector with the Singapore Police Force’s Secret Societies Branch during both graft cases, was suspended in December 2020.

In the current case, the Singaporean had received the $36,000 over seven months from Chinese national Chen Guangyun, 39, in exchange for promising to help the latter avoid prosecution over immigration-related offences.

Poo failed to deliver on these promises, and Chen was convicted for his immigration offences in 2020.

Following a trial, District Judge John Ng convicted each man of four counts of graft on Feb 28.

Chen is expected to be sentenced in July.

In earlier proceedings, the court heard that he had initially entered Singapore lawfully on Oct 20, 2014 but overstayed.

On Jan 25, 2017, he was convicted of offences including overstaying before he was sentenced to six months’ jail and three strokes of the cane.

After serving his sentence, he was deported in June that year and banned from entering Singapore.

Deputy public prosecutors David Menon and Bryan Wong had stated in court documents that Chen later entered Singapore illegally by boat and officers from the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority arrested him.

Chen was charged in court again with immigration-related offences on June 8, 2019.

Court documents stated that Chen and Poo first met each other during a drinking session some time in or around 2019, and they maintained a casual acquaintance.

Poo later told Chen that he was a police officer. After that, Chen told Poo that he had a pending case for entering Singapore illegally.

The DPPs said that Poo told Chen that he could help the Chinese national with his ongoing case and lessen any punishment that he might face.

Poo also asked Chen to pay $8,000 in exchange for his help, and the latter agreed.

The prosecutors told Judge Ng that Chen handed Poo the amount in cash in or around July 2019.

About a month later, Poo informed Chen that he could make him a police informant, which would allow the Chinese national to continue staying in Singapore after serving his sentence for his immigration-related offences.

The prosecutors added that Poo also told Chen that he would do so only if the latter agreed to pay him $3,000 per month.

The DPPs said that Chen later gave Poo a total of $18,000 between August 2019 and January 2020.

In fact, Chen never provided Poo with any information.

Chen later handed him another $10,000 but all these did nothing to alleviate his legal woes.

The charges against Chen were maintained, and on March 30, 2020, he pleaded guilty to an offence of entering Singapore without a valid pass.

He was sentenced to 12 weeks’ jail and four strokes of the cane before he was deported on May 4, 2020.

Chen was in China in early 2021 when he learnt that the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) was investigating Poo for unrelated graft offences.

Chen then contacted the CPIB to report that he had paid bribes to Poo.

The DPPs said that Chen was “still desperate to work in Singapore” and returned to the country illegally in or around September 2022.

Police officers later arrested him in or around April 2023 over his involvement in a fight.

In his earlier corruption case, Poo had repeatedly helped two men evade arrest and received the $32,500 in bribes from the pair. Poo had committed these offences in 2019 and 2020.

Ex-cop who was on the run for nearly 17 years admits obtaining $47,700 in bribes​

After almost 17 years on the run, Koh Kian Tiong pleaded guilty to five counts of graft involving cash totalling $31,000 and one count of desertion.PHOTO: INTERPOL

Shaffiq Alkhatib
May 22, 2025

SINGAPORE - A police assistant superintendent with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) who had financial problems obtained monetary bribes totalling $47,700 from a man notorious for operating several illegal gambling dens across Singapore.

In exchange, Koh Kian Tiong, alias Mark Koh, who is no longer a police officer, provided the man with information about CID operations that could affect the latter’s criminal activities.

After almost 17 years on the run, Koh, 52, pleaded guilty on May 21 to five counts of graft involving cash totalling $31,000 and one count of desertion under the Police Force Act.

Ten other graft charges linked to the remaining $16,700 will be considered during his sentencing.

He had obtained the monetary benefits and free entertainment between January 2006 and May 2007.

Koh was on leave in China in 2007 when he found out that the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) had started an investigation into his dealings with the man, Chua Chin Hoe.

Fearing that he would be implicated, Koh decided not to return to Singapore and remained in China. An Interpol red notice was then issued against him.

Once such a notice is issued, the police in other countries can be on the lookout for foreign offenders. The red notice can then be used to support extradition proceedings after an arrest is made.

Koh was later jailed in China over unrelated offences, the details of which were not disclosed in court documents.

Following his release from jail in China, he was sent back to Singapore and arrested at Changi Airport on April 28, 2024.

Several other people linked to the case, including Chua, were dealt with in court earlier.

Koh had introduced Chua to at least five other police officers attached to CID, all of whom received free entertainment and alcohol from Chua.

Koh joined the Singapore Police Force (SPF) in 1998.

When he became acquainted with Chua in 2005, he was an officer commanding with CID’s Anti-Unlicensed Money Lending Task Force, with a team of subordinates reporting to him.

Towards the end of that year, Koh was in the midst of divorce proceedings and was struggling to pay his legal bills.

He approached a colleague, an officer from the Secret Societies Branch (SSB) and asked for a loan of $15,000.

When the colleague replied that he could not afford to give the loan, Koh asked the officer to check if Chua, referred to in court documents as “Ah Hoe”, could provide the loan instead.

Deputy Public Prosecutor David Menon said: “The accused relayed this request to Ah Hoe through (the SSB officer who) was better acquainted with Ah Hoe at the time. Ah Hoe agreed to give the accused $15,000 to cover the legal bills arising from the accused’s divorce proceedings.”

On or around Jan 21, 2006, Koh went to Geylang to meet Chua, who handed him the money.

Chua gave the bribe so that Koh would show favour to him in future police-related matters. No repayment terms were discussed, and Koh did not repay the $15,000.

In September 2006, Koh reached out to Chua directly and asked for his help to settle some credit card bills. Chua handed him $16,000 later that year and Koh did not repay the amount.

Throughout 2006, Koh also frequented various bars with Chua, who always paid for the drinks and also occasionally paid the tips for hostesses and singers.

Eventually, Koh began inviting other CID officers to attend the drinking sessions with Chua, who would pay for the drinks for all the officers.

Based on Chua’s bank statements, he paid at least $27,000 in entertainment expenses relating to these drinking sessions in 2006 alone.

On May 21, DPP Menon asked the court to sentence Koh to between nine and 11 years’ jail, with penalties linked to the bribes he had obtained.

Stressing that Koh had held a “very senior rank” in the police force, the prosecutor added: “SPF suffered some actual harm, as corruption was allowed to spread through its ranks and multiple officers were made beholden to Ah Hoe.

“This compromised SPF operations (as) several officers, including the accused, gave Ah Hoe tip-offs regarding impending CID raids.”

In Koh’s mitigation, Mr Muhammad Taufiq Suraidi from the Public Defender’s Office told the court that Koh has no more savings and can never pay the proposed penalties.

Koh will be sentenced on May 26.