John Tan sentenced to 56 weeks in jail for false expense claims

[Rogue Trader]

Jail for ex-People's Association employee who made false expense claims for bogus durian party, dragon boat event​

Soh Gim Loon, a constituency manager employed by the People's Association at the time of the offences, wanted fast money for gambling. ​

Soh Gim Loon arriving at the State Courts on Jan 6, 2026. (Photo: CNA/Alyssa Tan)



Koh Wan Ting
06 Jan 2026 05:48PM (Updated: 06 Jan 2026 05:51PM)
SINGAPORE: A former deputy constituency director with the People's Association submitted false claims for expenditures to obtain S$14,750 (US$11,400) in funds, which he intended to use for gambling.

Soh Gim Loon, 40, was sentenced to 56 weeks’ jail on Tuesday (Jan 6) for his deception. He pleaded guilty to two counts of cheating the People's Association over a dragon boat event and a durian party.

Another two counts of cheating, involving events for Christmas and National Day, were considered for his sentencing. He has not made any restitution of the sums he cheated.

In an earlier statement to CNA, the People's Association said Soh had been dismissed after an internal disciplinary investigation.

Soh joined the People's Association in 2011 as a constituency management executive. He was promoted to constituency manager in 2017, and then to deputy constituency director in May 2024.

He had been a constituency manager at the time of the offences in 2023. In this role, he supported the operations of Tampines Changkat Community Club and worked with grassroots leaders.

He was also in charge of financial accounts and prepared submissions of claims for money to be reimbursed through a system.

He was allowed to claim up to S$6,000 for expenditures incurred during community events and gatherings organised by the People's Association. Soh decided to submit false claims "to get fast money for gambling", the prosecution said.
On Jul 9, 2023, he submitted a fake claim of S$5,950 for a dragon boat interest group, even though the event he stated did not occur.

As he did not have any receipt or proof of purchase, he filled in a declaration form stating that there was no official receipt. He indicated himself as the payee, and the sum was transferred to his bank account.

Three days later, he submitted another false claim of S$5,000 for a durian party that also did not take place.

He created a fake invoice to support his claim and again indicated himself as the payee. The money was later transferred to his bank account.

His offences were exposed during a routine audit check in January this year.

Soh was confronted over the false claims but denied the offences. He asked for time to find the receipts for the claims, but admitted to the false claims the next day.

The group constituency director at Tampines Group Representation Constituency then filed a police report on May 9, 2025.

The prosecution sought 14 to 18 months’ jail for Soh, saying that he had deceived a public body into disbursing a significant amount of public funds to him.

For cheating and inducing delivery of property, Soh could have been jailed for up to 10 years and fined.
Source: CNA/wt

 

[sbfuncle]

Since when John Tan became a stupid gambler?

 

[jurongkechil]

Cannot use own salary to gamble

 

[bobby]

Will he in mitigation claim for lighter sentences as he gave good public service to citizens?

 

[metanoia]

Another victim of PAP authorised casinos?

 

[Sustanon]

Mohammad Zulfadli works in church and stole $50 mil. He was sentenced to 3.5 years (28,224 hours) in jail. John Tan was not as greedy as Mohammad Zulfadli and stole $14,750 from the company instead. How long will be a appropriate sentence for John Tan? Give your answer in terms of hours and mins. (2 marks)

$50,000,000 = 3.5 years (168 weeks) (1,176 Days) (28,224 Hours)
$14,750 = 8.32 Hours

Answer: 8 hours 30 mins (Round Off To Nearest Min)

 

[metanoia]

Mohammad Zulfadli works in church and stole $50 mil. He was sentenced to 3.5 years (28,224 hours) in jail. John Tan was not as greedy as Mohammad Zulfadli and stole $14,750 from the company instead. How long will be a appropriate sentence for John Tan? Give your answer in terms of hours and mins. (2 marks)

$50,000,000 = 3.5 years (168 weeks) (1,176 Days) (28,224 Hours)
$14,750 = 8.32 Hours

Answer: 8 hours 30 mins (Round Off To Nearest Min)

Sentencing cant be proportional as therr are other considerations such as abuse of trust etc

 

[Sustanon]

Sentencing cant be proportional as therr are other considerations such as abuse of trust etc

I am pretty sure the abuse of trust, etc... by Mohammad Zulfadli is definately more gao lat than John Tan. Mohammad Zulfadli stole the money to promote Siti's singing career (which didn't took off), property, lavish lifestyle, etc... so John Tan should be setenced to jail <8 hours and 30 mins ok maybe max 9 hours in jail for having a kiam pak face.

 

[nabeifuckpap]

Will he in mitigation claim for lighter sentences as he gave good public service to citizens?

People's Association doesn't even provide any valuable services except public transport vouchers and issuing paper vouchers and extra toilets and gyms at CCs

 

[Rogue Trader]

$50,000,000 = 3.5 years (168 weeks) (1,176 Days) (28,224 Hours)
$14,750 = 8.32 Hours

Answer: 8 hours 30 mins (Round Off To Nearest Min)

8.32 hours should be 8hrs 20mins

 

[myfoot123]

That is the problem when you try to ignore AGO's findings year after year.

 

[jurongkechil]

Gamble can't win???

 

[KingFook Sr]

He is the unlucky one to be caught.
Only the tip of 'ayer batu'.

 

[cocobobo]

Gamble can't win???

If he won, you think get caught?

 

[laksaboy]

People's Association doesn't even provide any valuable services except public transport vouchers and issuing paper vouchers and extra toilets and gyms at CCs

People's Association is the PAP's grassroots organizations. Too many daft Sinkies see the word 'People's' and automatically assume that meant people in general.

Chitchat Post in thread 'Petty Minah Upset That Grassroots Leaders Used Her Wedding Photo As Raya Standee Celebration Prop!'

May 31, 2021

People's Association is hardly some neutral, apolitical grassroots organization that manages the CCs and various community activities... it is nothing more than a satellite organization of the PAP.

The 'People's' is their branding and a dog whistle for their Lightning comrades, and has nothing to do with the generic concept of the 'people' or 'citizens' of the country.

I believe many years ago, PA members were caught handing out leaflets for PAP candidates during an election.

So if you have a PAssion card, you are by definition an honorary PAP member, congratulations.

• laksaboy

Post in thread 'Why PM talked bird words ah ??'

Feb 29, 2020

The People's in the acronym PAP is not too different from that which is used in the DPRK and the PRC.

Oh and don't forget the 'People's Association'. It pretends to be a non-partisan organization, then you find out who are the ones running it. I believe the PA volunteers were caught (more than once) distributing PAP leaflets during election season.

• laksaboy

 

[mojito]

Indeed Singaporeans commit more crimes.

 

[Leongsam]

Jail for ex-People's Association employee who made false expense claims for bogus durian party, dragon boat event​

Soh Gim Loon, a constituency manager employed by the People's Association at the time of the offences, wanted fast money for gambling. ​

Soh Gim Loon arriving at the State Courts on Jan 6, 2026. (Photo: CNA/Alyssa Tan)



Koh Wan Ting
06 Jan 2026 05:48PM (Updated: 06 Jan 2026 05:51PM)
SINGAPORE: A former deputy constituency director with the People's Association submitted false claims for expenditures to obtain S$14,750 (US$11,400) in funds, which he intended to use for gambling.

Soh Gim Loon, 40, was sentenced to 56 weeks’ jail on Tuesday (Jan 6) for his deception. He pleaded guilty to two counts of cheating the People's Association over a dragon boat event and a durian party.

Another two counts of cheating, involving events for Christmas and National Day, were considered for his sentencing. He has not made any restitution of the sums he cheated.

In an earlier statement to CNA, the People's Association said Soh had been dismissed after an internal disciplinary investigation.

Soh joined the People's Association in 2011 as a constituency management executive. He was promoted to constituency manager in 2017, and then to deputy constituency director in May 2024.

He had been a constituency manager at the time of the offences in 2023. In this role, he supported the operations of Tampines Changkat Community Club and worked with grassroots leaders.

He was also in charge of financial accounts and prepared submissions of claims for money to be reimbursed through a system.

He was allowed to claim up to S$6,000 for expenditures incurred during community events and gatherings organised by the People's Association. Soh decided to submit false claims "to get fast money for gambling", the prosecution said.
On Jul 9, 2023, he submitted a fake claim of S$5,950 for a dragon boat interest group, even though the event he stated did not occur.

As he did not have any receipt or proof of purchase, he filled in a declaration form stating that there was no official receipt. He indicated himself as the payee, and the sum was transferred to his bank account.

Three days later, he submitted another false claim of S$5,000 for a durian party that also did not take place.

He created a fake invoice to support his claim and again indicated himself as the payee. The money was later transferred to his bank account.

His offences were exposed during a routine audit check in January this year.

Soh was confronted over the false claims but denied the offences. He asked for time to find the receipts for the claims, but admitted to the false claims the next day.

The group constituency director at Tampines Group Representation Constituency then filed a police report on May 9, 2025.

The prosecution sought 14 to 18 months’ jail for Soh, saying that he had deceived a public body into disbursing a significant amount of public funds to him.

For cheating and inducing delivery of property, Soh could have been jailed for up to 10 years and fined.
Source: CNA/wt

Everyone who appears in court suddenly worries about catching Covid.

 

[laksaboy]

A special card for a special man.

 

[PatriotMissile2025]

P.A. alot of jiakliaobees embezzlers, adulterers and comfort women.

 

[Papsmearer]

So this is govt corruption case since PA is state owned?