Former executive chairman pleads guilty to corruption
By Alice Chia | Posted: 08 August 2012 2117 hrs
SINGAPORE: The former executive chairman of locally-listed AEM-Evertech Holdings Limited (AEM-Evertech) has pleaded guilty to four charges of corruption on Wednesday.
Tok Kian You, 51, admitted to giving bribes of S$106,484.29 to Siow Sing Heng, a manager in STS Shenzhen, in 2004.
The money was a reward for Siow for recommending that more business be awarded to AEM-Evertech.
AEM-Evertech is in the business of designing and manufacturing equipment, precision engineering products and chemicals.
In mitigation, Tok's lawyer, Mr Edmond Pereira, said that it was a "sheer stupid act" on Tok's part in consenting to agree to give the bribes.
Mr Pereira added that the quality of the equipment provided by AEM-Evertech was not compromised.
The Deputy Public Prosecutor said that greater harm could be generated by the act and a culture of corruption may be established if such doings are not checked.
The maximum penalty for corruption is a S$100,000 fine and five years' jail on each charge.
Tok will be sentenced on August 15.
- CNA/wm