There is no corruption in Singapore...

[LITTLEREDDOT]

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.

 

[liamricci]

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.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

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.

​

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

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.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

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.”

 

[True Believer]

Most of the corruption is 'legalised' by the law, swept under the carpet or explained away, albeit unconvincingly. The very act of having the Elections Dept under the Prime Minister's Office is already corruption.

 

[True Believer]

It sure looks like Goh Jin Hian is poised to beat his charge thanks to our Judiciary being pressured to do the "kangaroo dance".

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

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.”

​

 

[True Believer]

The PAP has a knack of transforming black into white. That is a form of 'laundering'.