There is no corruption in Singapore...

[True Believer]

The PAP is far too intelligent to steal public funds. The obscenely high salaries of ministers and top civil servants, while justified by the govt as necessary to attract top talent and prevent corruption, is a form of institutionalised legal corruption. Do these mega salaries truly deter corruption or does overpaying politicians for public administration work, create a privileged class disconnected from the masses?

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Ong Beng Seng fined $30k in case linked to ex-minister Iswaran after judge cites judicial mercy​

Ong Beng Seng was handed a $30,000 fine on Aug 15 for abetting the obstruction of justice.

Summary

• Ong Beng Seng, 79, was fined for abetting former transport minister S. Iswaran in the obstruction of justice.
• Ong offered to cover all of Iswaran's expenses for a trip to Qatar, including flights on his private jet and a one-night stay at the Four Seasons Hotel.
• Due to Ong's advanced multiple myeloma and other health issues, the judge agreed that imprisonment would endanger his life, warranting judicial mercy.

AI generated

Aug 15, 2025

SINGAPORE – Billionaire property tycoon Ong Beng Seng was fined $30,000 on Aug 15 for abetting the obstruction of justice in a case linked to former transport minister S. Iswaran.

Ong, 79, was handed the maximum fine the district court can impose after he had pleaded guilty on Aug 4.

When Principal District Judge Lee Lit Cheng delivered the sentence, Ong looked ahead and did not react. After the hearing ended, he gave a thumbs up to one of his lawyers.

Judge Lee agreed with the prosecution and defence that judicial mercy should be exercised in this case due to Ong’s ill health.

She said: “Based on the clear and undisputed medical evidence before this court, the accused suffers from advanced multiple myeloma (an incurable cancer of plasma cells), and a sentence of imprisonment would carry a high and increased risk of endangering his life.”

Ong Beng Seng was fined $30,000 for abetting the obstruction of justice in a case linked to former transport minister S. Iswaran.

ST ILLUSTRATION: CEL GULAPA

Judicial mercy is the discretionary power Singapore’s courts have to give a more lenient sentence because of exceptional mitigating circumstances.

Judge Lee noted the offences committed by Ong in this case were undoubtedly serious, as the charge he admitted to involved conduct likely to obstruct the course of justice. Ong’s second charge of abetting a public servant in obtaining gifts was taken into consideration during sentencing.

When Principal District Judge Lee Lit Cheng delivered the sentence, Ong looked ahead and did not react.

ST ILLUSTRATION: CEL GULAPA

Had Ong’s medical condition been absent, the appropriate sentence would have been three months’ jail, Judge Lee said.

The prosecution had earlier acknowledged that while eight weeks’ imprisonment would ordinarily be warranted in this case, it did not object to a fine for Ong as jail time would result in an increased risk of endangering his life.


Ong’s lawyer, Senior Counsel Cavinder Bull, had argued that his client’s medical condition had destroyed parts of bone in his skeletal system. Ong was diagnosed with advanced multiple myeloma in 2020.

Imprisoning him would thus dramatically increase life-threatening risks for him, said Mr Bull.

On Aug 15, Ong arrived at the State Courts flanked by his lawyers and security team. It sparked a media frenzy, but Ong did not speak to reporters as he walked towards the entrance of the building.


The hearing began at around 2.30pm and ended in 30 minutes, after which Ong was seen signing what appeared to be a cheque book.

He left the State Courts at around 3.25pm without speaking to the media.

Those convicted of abetment of obstruction of justice can be jailed for up to seven years, fined or both. Under the Criminal Procedure Code, the district court can impose a maximum fine of $30,000 for the offence.

In December 2022, Ong, credited with bringing Formula 1 racing to Singapore, asked Mr Iswaran if the then minister would like to join him on a trip to Qatar to watch the World Cup.

Ong told Mr Iswaran he would be his guest, travelling on his private jet. The businessman added that he would take care of all of Mr Iswaran’s expenses for the trip, including his hotel accommodation.

Mr Iswaran accepted the offer.

On Dec 10, 2022, he travelled to Doha, Qatar, on Ong’s private jet, with the flight valued at around US$7,700 (S$10,410.40, as stated in court documents).

Mr Iswaran checked into the Four Seasons Hotel, which cost $4,737.63 for a one-night stay.

After one night in Doha, he returned to Singapore on a business-class flight valued at $5,700.

Singapore GP – which Ong was the majority shareholder of – paid for the hotel stay and flight.

Ong left the State Courts at around 3.25pm without speaking to the media.

ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO

In May 2023, while the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) was investigating a separate matter relating to Ong’s associates, it came across the flight manifest of the outbound flight on Ong’s private jet that Mr Iswaran took to Doha.

On May 18, Ong was informed by his associates that CPIB had seized the flight manifest that had details of the Doha trip. Ong told Mr Iswaran about this over the phone.

Mr Iswaran asked Ong to have Singapore GP bill him for the Doha trip, including the flight to Singapore on Dec 11, 2022.

Ong agreed and had Singapore GP director Mok Chee Liang arrange the payment, and told Mr Mok to keep proper records of this.

On May 24, 2023, Mr Mok e-mailed Mr Iswaran’s personal assistant with an invoice for the flight from Doha to Singapore.

Mr Iswaran then issued a cheque for $5,700 to Singapore GP, which the prosecution said had a tendency to obstruct the course of justice, as it made it less likely that he would be investigated by CPIB in relation to the Doha trip.

The prosecution said Ong also knew that Mr Iswaran’s act of paying for the flight from Doha to Singapore was likely to obstruct the course of justice.

On Oct 3, 2024, Mr Iswaran was sentenced to 12 months’ jail after he pleaded guilty to five charges, including four over obtaining valuable items as a public servant.

Health conditions
Ong’s lawyers said he suffered from a “devastating cocktail of medical problems”. These include:

• Advanced multiple myeloma, a cancer that affects white blood cells, which are crucial to the body’s immune response. Ong was diagnosed in 2020.
• A hollowed-out spinal vertebrae caused by the cancer. A radiology photo of this was shown to the court.
• A metal rod inserted in the spine, which could become infected.
• “Intractable and relentless” diarrhoea, which puts him at risk of hypotension and acute kidney injury.
• Peripheral vascular disease of both feet, with a non-healing toe wound that places him at risk of infection and gangrene.
• Risk of falls that could result in permanent disability or life-threatening injury.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Ong Ye Kung rebuts complaints about treatment of stallholders at Bukit Canberra Hawker Centre​

Bukit Canberra Hawker Centre opened in December 2022 after a three-year delay due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

PHOTO: SHIN MIN DAILY NEWS

Summary

• Bukit Canberra hawkers aren't charged for storing supplies in baskets or penalised for not providing free meals, according to Health Minister Ong Ye Kung.
• Food critic K.F. Seetoh claimed hawkers paid $70 each month to use the baskets and had to provide 60 free meals at their own expense.
• Mr Seetoh thanked the minister and suggested that they meet so that he could get “the full picture”.

AI generated

Aug 11, 2025

SINGAPORE – Stallholders at Bukit Canberra Hawker Centre are not charged for storing supplies in baskets or penalised for not providing free meals, said Health Minister Ong Ye Kung.

Mr Ong, who oversees the ward where the food centre is located, was responding in an Aug 11 Facebook post to concerns raised by veteran food critic K.F. Seetoh about the treatment of hawkers there.

In a Facebook post on Aug 4, Mr Seetoh had claimed that the food centre’s hawkers were forced to pay $70 each month to use blue supply baskets at the back of each stall.

The founder of local food guide Makansutra, in another post on Aug 8, said the stallholders were contractually obliged to offer 60 free meals at their own expense.

“What a ridiculous smash and grab management policy,” he said in the post, which included a screenshot of what appears to be a contract with the hawker centre’s management.

Mr Seetoh also claimed that hawkers were forced to offer budget meals of up to $3.50 for everyone, not just “the poor”.

In March 2023, the budget meal initiative was launched by the Ministry of National Development and the Housing Board to provide Singaporeans with meals typically priced $3.50 and below at coffee shops.

Mr Ong, who also leads the Sembawang GRC MPs, said he had investigated the matters raised after finding out about the food critic’s online posts.

He said the claim that hawkers must provide 60 free meals “does not present the full picture”.

Mr Ong said stallholders had initially agreed to provide 30 meals each month for low-income residents when the hawker centre first opened, before the figure was adjusted to 100 meals over the three-year duration of their lease.

Mr Ong, who is also Coordinating Minister for Social Policies, added: “There are no penalties if they do not or are unable to provide the meals.

“This simple, well-intentioned initiative was meant to encourage our hawkers to ‘pay it forward’.”

Mr Ong, who said he visits the hawker centre frequently, noted that the initiative has yet to commence.

He added: “I appreciate K.F. Seetoh’s concern for our hawkers and share his passion for keeping our hawker culture alive and thriving.

“However, let’s do so without putting down anyone, whether they are patrons, hawkers, the hawker centre operator, or government agencies.”

On Aug 11, Mr Seetoh thanked the minister and suggested that they meet so that he could get “the full picture”.

The 44-stall Bukit Canberra Hawker Centre opened in December 2022 after a three-year delay due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

At the time of its launch, about 10 per cent of the stalls were run by Sembawang residents.

It was the first such facility to open in the constituency after about three decades.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Bukit Canberra hawkers contractually bound to provide free meals under pay-it-forward scheme, lawyers say​

Despite the operator's public stance that participation is voluntary, lawyers say contractual obligations may still apply.

Bukit Canberra Hawker Centre. (Photo: Facebook/Ong Ye Kung)

Ang Hwee Min​

14 Aug 2025

SINGAPORE: Hawkers’ participation in a scheme to provide free meals at Bukit Canberra Hawker Centre is mandatory based on the language of their tenancy agreements, said lawyers consulted by CNA.
A 2024 version of the contract seen by CNA states that a stall tenant “shall participate” in the pay-it-forward programme “as implemented and/or directed by the company”, requiring them to set aside 100 meals at their own cost for the scheme.
Another clause requires the tenant to provide at least two menu items below S$3 and display them prominently. The tenant shall also offer a 10 per cent discount on their other menu items to CHAS Blue, Pioneer Generation and Merdeka Generation card holders, another clause read.
Managing partner of Lighthouse Law Adrian Wee said it does not appear from the wording of these clauses that the hawkers’ participation in the scheme is voluntary.
"The use of the word 'shall' suggests that the tenant is obliged to participate in the scheme and that this is one of the several obligations imposed on the tenant under the tenancy.
"The fact that the scheme has not yet started has no bearing on whether the tenant will eventually be obliged to participate if and when the scheme starts," he added.
Lawyer Chooi Jing Yen also agreed that the word "shall" means the hawkers legally have to participate in the scheme.
"Technically, if the hawkers fail to comply, that would be a breach of the contract," he said.
Bukit Canberra Hawker Centre is one of several social enterprise hawker centres in Singapore. In 2024, then-Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment Koh Poh Koon said that all social enterprise hawker centre operators must propose ways to ensure affordable food options are available as part of their tender proposals.
"So far operators have committed that all stalls in their centres will provide at least one value meal option. This is not an attempt to force hawkers to sell all of their dishes at low prices.
"Instead, the intent is for operators to work with hawkers to offer a range of food offerings at different price points," he had said at the time.
Value meals only account for about 5 to 20 per cent of meals sold in social enterprise hawker centres, he noted. "Hawkers are not expected to make a loss selling value meals."
The operator of Bukit Canberra Hawker Centre took to Facebook on Tuesday night to address the free meals programme. According to Canopy Hawkers Group, it received “overwhelming interest” during the stall application stage three years ago, and it was “not easy” to select tenants.
"Other than offering affordable and quality meals, we also incorporated into our selection criteria hawkers who shared our vision to pay it forward to the community, through the offering of free meals to the low income.
"As hawkers were selected on this basis, we incorporated Pay-it-Forward into the tenancy contract," the operator said in its post.
After the hawker centre opened, the operator discussed the programme with the stallholders further, and reduced the original arrangement of 30 meals per month to a total of 100 meals over the three-year tenancy period, the post read.
This revised arrangement was reflected in a contract variation around August 2023, said Canopy Hawkers Group.
In the Facebook post, it noted that the programme has not officially started and the preparatory work has not been done yet.
"So there is no obligation on the part of the hawkers, and no penalties to speak of.
"While hawkers have voluntarily agreed to participate at the point of selection, we also acknowledged the view that charity should not be contractual, and this is something to be reviewed again when the Pay-It-Forward programme is ready."
Member of Parliament for Sembawang GRC Ong Ye Kung had said on Monday that there are no penalties if hawkers "do not or are unable to provide the meals". The health minister also said the initiative had yet to start.
Mr Wee said if the tenants were selected on the basis that they were willing to participate in the programme to provide free meals, then it is not surprising that their participation is written into the tenancy agreement in the form of a "binding obligation".
"In general, if something is voluntary, meaning the tenant has the option of not doing it, then that choice should be reflected in the terms of the agreement between parties, or, better yet, omitted altogether," he said.
Mr Chooi pointed out that accepting tenants based on their willingness to participate in the programme and the operator’s decision not to enforce the scheme seemed contradictory.
If Canopy Hawker Group later decides to enforce the relevant penalties, hawkers may rely on the legal principle of “estoppel” as a defence, he added.
"(This means that) the hawkers can say, 'sorry, despite what has been written in the contract, you have separately and publicly stated that this is a voluntary obligation'," said Mr Chooi.
The fact that the hawkers are not providing free meals in accordance with the contract does not mean that the operator can penalise them for not keeping to the terms, he added.
From its post on Facebook, it appears that the operator has also acknowledged this point, Mr Chooi said.
He added that the post seems to imply that a voluntary charity scheme need not or should not have been included in the contracts in the first place, especially if they were not going to enforce it against the hawkers.
Amarjit Singh of Amarjit Sidhu Law said if the scheme is for charity, it should be voluntary.
“If hawkers agree to participate and set aside free meals, then it should be ok. But the imposition of penalties is unreasonable,” he added, noting that Mr Ong has also confirmed that the hawkers will not be penalised for not giving out free meals.
The terms of a contract need to be reasonable, fair and not onerous, and should not put either party at a disadvantage, he said, adding that in general, the courts would decide on the reasonableness of a contract.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Corruption complaint against senior IOC member Ser Miang Ng: "prevent any further significant breaches from occurring before it is too late"​

EXCLUSIVE: The IOC Ethics Commission received a comprehensive complaint against the former IOC Vice-President from Singapore, who is alleged to have mixed his many positions with family business in several respects in connection with esports, the Olympic Esports Week and the Olympic Esports Games.

Jens Weinreich​

Aug 12, 2025 — 17 min read

IOC's Finance Chief Ser Miang Ng, now under pressure from serious ethical allegations of corruption, at the 144th IOC Session in March 2025. (Photo: IOC/Greg Martin)

"Given the serious nature of the complaint we have made and Mr Ng Ser Miang's multiple positions within the IOC our client is concerned that it will be subject to retaliatory measures in the event that its identity is disclosed."
From a letter sent by a London law firm to the secretary of the IOC Ethics Commission, whose only interest in the case so far has been to find out the identity of the complainant

The case of Ser Miang Ng from Singapore, one of the most influential IOC members, and his diverse connections in the lucrative Olympic and non-Olympic esports business has considerable potential. The case involves the IOC, Olympic federations, Saudi Arabia and the esports industry. No matter what excuses and manoeuvres the IOC comes up with, Ser Miang Ng's multiple conflicts of interest are already well documented. One of the key questions now is whether this constitutes corruption. If we apply the latest interpretation of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which defines corruption in surprisingly broad terms, Ser Miang Ng could be facing difficult times ahead.

But only, of course, if the IOC's own so-called Ethics Commission, which has been dealing with a comprehensive complaint since June 26, 2025, decides to take exceptional action, which so far seems unlikely – as is so often the case. I will document this for you in a moment.

The complainant, who is represented by a renowned London law firm, demands that Ser Miang Ng be removed from all Olympic positions related to the esports business.

"Given what has already occurred in relation to the Singapore Olympic Esports Series … the IOC cannot now sit idly by and wait for Mr Ng Ser Miang to crystalise further actual conflicts of interests."

The case of Ser Miang Ng and his children's businesses and companies raises further interesting questions. Some of these revolve around the Global Esports Federation (GEF), also based in Singapore, whose board includes Ser Mian Ng's son Chong Geng Ng and which is headed by Paul Foster, former chief of protocol at the IOC. During the founding phase of the GEF, which was always viewed with suspicion by many experts and was the subject of business intelligence investigations on more than one occasion, a certain Tyrone Seward was also a member of the board for several years. Mr Seward is from Zimbabwe. He is the husband of IOC President Kirsty Coventry.

 

[True Believer]

The corruption has been legalised through laws designed to enrich our greedy politicians.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Association treating alleged match-fixing in S’pore basketball league with ‘utmost seriousness’​

The Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau said it arrested eight Singaporeans and one permanent resident aged between 19 and 35.

Summary

• Nine people, including players, were arrested by CPIB for suspected match-fixing in the National Basketball League (NBL) Division 1 in 2025.
• BAS is treating the allegations with "utmost seriousness," cooperating with authorities, and reaffirming its commitment to integrity and fair play.
• Despite the ongoing investigation, the NBL tournament will continue as scheduled, with enhanced education and internal safeguards to prevent future incidents.

Aug 20, 2025

SINGAPORE – The Basketball Association of Singapore (BAS) said on Aug 20 that it is treating the alleged match-fixing case in the National Basketball League (NBL) Division 1 with the “utmost seriousness”, and will work to rebuild trust in the sport.

A day earlier, the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) said in a statement that nine people were arrested for their suspected involvement in fixing matches in the NBL in 2025.

Among the eight Singaporeans and one permanent resident aged between 19 and 35 who were arrested were players from the teams taking part in the 2025 league competition.

The bureau said investigations are ongoing, and that Singapore adopts a zero-tolerance approach towards corruption.

In its statement on Aug 20, the BAS said that it “recognises the gravity of the alleged match-fixing case”.

The national sports association added: “We understand the concerns raised within our community and wish to reaffirm our unwavering commitment to upholding the values of integrity and fair play in Singapore basketball.

“As stewards of the sport, BAS maintains a zero-tolerance stance against match-fixing and all forms of misconduct that compromise the integrity of the game. We are cooperating fully with the authorities and will refrain from commenting on ongoing investigations out of respect for due process.

“We assure all stakeholders that, should any individual be found to have breached our ethical standards, decisive and appropriate action will be taken in accordance with our regulations.”

It will also redouble “efforts to strengthen education and awareness programmes for athletes, coaches and officials”, as well as review and enhance its internal safeguards and competition management to prevent future incidents.


The 2025 NBL Division 1 is set to run until Aug 30 and comprises 10 teams: Adroit HB, Scholar Basketball Academy, Tagawa, Chong Ghee, Allinton Eng Tat Hornets, SG Basketball, Siglap Basketball Club (SBA), Xin Hua, Tungsan and Tong Whye.

The league is organised by the BAS and matches are played at the Singapore Basketball Centre in Aljunied.

The CPIB said that one of the matches that was allegedly fixed was between Tagawa and Tong Whye, which took place on Aug 1. That match ended 66-43 in favour of Tagawa.

According to a source, NBL matches were being offered for betting on illegal gambling sites – screenshots of these games were seen by ST.

A check on the BAS website also shows that the matches are available for live streaming on a pay-per-view basis for between $2.99 and $3.99 per match.

With the regular season having concluded on Aug 17, play-off matches are set to begin with the quarter-finals on Aug 20.


Eng Tat Hornets will take on Xin Hua at 7.15pm followed by Adroit HB against SBA at 9pm. The other two matches will be held on Aug 22 when Siglap face Chong Ghee and SG Basketball square off against Tagawa.

The BAS said: “As we do not have concrete evidence that the NBL Division 1 is compromised, and in fairness to the players and teams who have trained hard for this competition, BAS will let the ongoing tournament continue as per scheduled until further notice. Any officials or players under arrest or who have been arrested will be immediately suspended from all league activities.”

Stressing its commitment to working with the community, the association added that “our goal is to rebuild trust and ensure that Singapore basketball remains a source of pride and inspiration for all”.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

$160k fine for Fullerton Healthcare Corp co-founder who approved falsified claims of over $213k​

David Sin was fined $160,000 after pleading guilty to six counts of falsification of accounts on Aug 21, 2025.

Summary

• Co-founder of Fullerton Healthcare Corporation David Sin approved six expense claim forms which another co-founder submitted in 2019.
• Sin did so despite knowing that Daniel Chan Pai Sheng had submitted the false claims with the intent to defraud the firm.
• The case involved falsified sums totalling over $213,000.

AI generated

Aug 21, 2025

SINGAPORE – One of the three co-founders of Fullerton Healthcare Corp (FHC) approved six expense claim forms submitted by another co-founder, which involved falsified sums totalling over $213,000.

David Sin, 46, approved the claims on multiple occasions in 2019, despite knowing that Daniel Chan Pai Sheng, 51, had submitted them with the intent to defraud FHC, according to court documents.

The prosecution, however, said that Sin did not enjoy financial gains or benefit personally from these offences.


On Aug 21, Sin pleaded guilty to six counts of falsification of accounts and was fined $160,000. The court heard that he will pay the amount in instalments.

The third co-founder, Michael Tan Kim Song, 51, was not involved in these offences. All three men are Singaporeans.

Sin was earlier handed seven other charges for offences including graft.

Without revealing any details, Deputy Public Prosecutor Jonathan Tan made an application for him to be given a discharge amounting to an acquittal over these remaining charges. The court granted it on Aug 21. Individuals given such a discharge cannot be charged again over the same offences.

The court heard that FHC was in the business of investment holding, and had various subsidiaries, including Fullerton Healthcare Group (FHG) and Fullerton Health China.

Deputy public prosecutors Jonathan Tan, David Menon and Ashley Chin stated in court documents that Tan and Chan were medical doctors by training.


In 2010, the pair co-founded FHG, which provided healthcare solutions for corporations.

Some time between 2010 and 2012, Tan approached Sin to invest in FHC. Sin decided to do so in 2013 through a firm called Sin Capital Group, where he was chief executive at the time.

In 2014, he employed Mr Tei Chu Pink, 45, to be the director of Sin Capital’s investment team based in Hong Kong.

Investigations revealed that four years later, Chan approached Mr Tei, a Malaysian, to claim certain business expenses from FHC.

The DPPs said: “Daniel (Chan) told (Mr Tei) that the business expenses would be paid from Fullerton Health China’s accounts, using inflated entertainment invoices, and that (Michael Tan) had consented to the arrangement.”

According to the prosecution, Chan also told Mr Tei the payments were for “consultancy services” provided by Collin Chiew, 57, who was the Singaporean chief executive of insurance broker Aon Singapore between January 2015 and July 2018.


Mr Tei relayed this information to Sin, who consented to the arrangement.

The DPPs told the court that in 2019, Chan submitted for Sin’s approval six claim forms listing purported expenses of more than $334,000 in total, even though the actual expenses were less than half the amount – over $120,000.

Sin approved the claims despite knowing that they had been inflated by more than $213,000.

On Aug 21, the DPPs urged the court to sentence him to a fine of between $150,000 and $180,000.

They said the amount involved was substantial. However, they also noted that Sin was not the mastermind behind the offences.

He is represented by lawyers Melanie Ho, Tang Shangwei and Neo Yi Ling, who pleaded for their client to be fined $120,000 instead.

The team from WongPartnership said he “trusted and assumed his co-founders had good reasons for deciding to pay Collin (Chiew) in such a manner”.

They added: “With the benefit of hindsight, (Sin) accepts that he ought to have done better and should not have turned a blind eye to the breach of corporate governance.”

In February 2024, the four Singaporeans – Sin, Chan, Tan and Chiew – were charged with offences including graft.

The Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau said in an earlier statement that at the time of the alleged offences, Sin was FHC’s president, Chan was the president of Fullerton Health China and Tan was a director at FHG. They no longer hold the positions in the companies.

The cases involving Chan, Tan and Chiew are still pending.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Ex-director at Lee Kim Tah-Woh Hup JV sued amid allegations former CapitaLand staff took bribes in India​

The breach of duties relate to CapitaLand's project in India, as well as other transactions, said court documents seen by The Business Times.

Aug 21, 2025

SINGAPORE - A lawsuit filed by construction player Lee Kim Tah (LKT) against one of its former directors for alleged breach of duties has surfaced allegations that several former employees of CapitaLand in India had received corrupt payments in relation to work on a project there.

The breach of duties relates to CapitaLand’s project in India and other transactions, according to court documents seen by The Business Times.

CapitaLand said it investigated the matter when it came to light in 2023, and went to the police.

“Given the ongoing investigation, we are unable to comment further on the case,” it said, stressing that it is “fully committed to conducting business with the highest ethical standards and integrity, and has a zero-tolerance policy towards unethical conduct”.

The former LKT employee being sued, Mr Edmund Cheah Tiang Ann, was a director with the company from 2005 to 2023, during which time he oversaw its investments. He was also in charge of L&W Construction, which provided construction services to property projects in India, and CapitaLand was one of its clients.

L&W is a subsidiary of a joint venture between LKT and Woh Hup, also a construction player.

In the suit, LKT accused Mr Cheah of allowing the subsidiary L&W to enter into “dubious transactions” under his watch.

The accusations against him chiefly involve L&W’s former managing director Asaithambi Manickam who, LKT has alleged, paid bribes to government officials and to employees of clients.

It is said that in 2023, representatives from CapitaLand Group told Mr Cheah and Mr Manickam that “certain issues” had cropped up with L&W’s projects, which involve both LKT and Woh Hup.

CapitaLand representatives also purportedly told Mr Cheah and other Woh Hup directors that some of CapitaLand’s senior staff members had received payments from L&W in relation to a project in Pune, India.

In LKT’s statement of claim, Mr Manickam is said to have approved the hiring of Harchan Consultants – of which his wife is allegedly the sole shareholder and a director – as a recruitment firm.

“Harchan exploited L&W by earning recruitment commission on various senior personnel hires, who were then subsequently dismissed,” said LKT’s lawyers in the statement.

L&W entered into “unfavourable agreements” with vendors controlled by the relatives of Mr Manickam, who is also said to have awarded inflated contracts to benefit himself and his family.

As well, Mr Manickam has been accused of committing “fraudulent activities and serious misconduct” during his time at L&W, with the alleged fraud exceeding 20 billion Indian rupees (S$295 million).

These allegations were surfaced by whistleblowers, comprising L&W’s clients and current and former employees.


LKT is alleging that Mr Cheah “sanctioned, acquiesced or was otherwise complicit” in L&W’s entry into these transactions, which it said “detrimentally affected LKT’s investment”, putting him in breach of his fiduciary duties and duties of fidelity owed to the company.

On Sept 30, 2023, Mr Cheah resigned from LKT, but was allegedly re-hired by Woh Hup’s chairman Yong Tiam Yoon to be his personal adviser in the joint venture company – despite LKT’s repeated objections, the statement of claim said.

Cheah’s defence​

In his defence, Mr Cheah denied all the claims made against him.

Responding, he said he acted under the direction of Mr Lee Soon Teck and Mr Edwin Lee – both since deceased – who ran LKT. After their deaths, he reported to Mr Edwin Lee’s children Mark and Nicole Lee.

Mr Cheah added that his role was not limited to L&W or India, but extended to other group investments, such as in Britain and Indonesia.

And as far as it related to L&W, Mr Cheah claimed that LKT would take the lead on the subsidiary’s financial affairs; Woh Hup led the construction and related building business.

Mr Cheah thus understood his role as that of monitoring the bids for construction projects, and to assess whether the works would over-run their budgets.

He also alleged that he initially visited India monthly to carry out his duties, spending at least 10 days for each trip. But from around 2017, he was asked by Lee Soon Teck and Edwin Lee to focus more on the investments in Britain and Indonesia.

Mr Cheah stressed that he does not reside in India, nor did he have oversight over all of L&W’s operational matters.

Further, it was Woh Hup who appointed Mr Manickam to the L&W board, Mr Cheah alleged.

Mr Manickam’s appointment as L&W managing director was also supported by Mr Lee Soon Teck and Mr Edwin Lee.

Therefore, he claimed that if any “dubious” transactions occurred, they were without his knowledge and consent.

THE BUSINESS TIMES

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Lee Kim Tah to lodge criminal complaints against ex-director involved in CapitaLand, other projects​

Aug 22, 2025

SINGAPORE - Construction player Lee Kim Tah (LKT) will lodge criminal complaints in Singapore and India against former director Edmund Cheah Tiang Ann, escalating a dispute over alleged breaches of fiduciary duties related to the group’s Indian operations.

The move comes as LKT pursues a separate civil lawsuit against Mr Cheah, who served as director from 2005 to 2023 and oversaw the company’s investments during his tenure.

At the centre of the allegations are transactions involving L&W Construction, a subsidiary of the LKT-Woh Hup joint venture that provided construction services to property developments in India. CapitaLand was among L&W’s clients for these projects.


LKT has accused Mr Cheah of allowing L&W to enter into “dubious transactions” while under his supervision.

The allegations primarily concern L&W’s former managing director Asaithambi Manickam, whom LKT claims paid bribes to government officials and client employees.

Mr Cheah has denied all accusations.

No resolution​

In a statement on Aug 22, LKT said that its current management had gained gradual access to KPMG’s findings from late January 2024.

The audit firm was engaged by LKT-Woh Hup to look into the matter around August and September 2023.

Based on these findings, LKT said it has maintained that Mr Asaithambi should be removed from L&W’s board, have his executive powers suspended, and face accountability alongside alleged co-conspirators.


“However, LKT has been unable to achieve these objectives despite its continual efforts,” the company stated.

In January 2025, Mr Asaithambi was placed on paid leave following “certain external events” that prompted the joint venture’s professional advisers to recommend this action, though LKT did not give further details.

By May, the advisers concluded there was insufficient evidence to definitively establish corruption on Mr Asaithambi’s part, and determined no obligation existed to report KPMG’s findings – including bribery allegations. They recommended additional investigations before advising on potential claims.

LKT said it has been unable to reach a consensus with its joint venture counterpart on whether to adopt the advice given.

Mr Asaithambi remains employed by L&W, the LKT-Woh Hup joint venture, and Woh Hup, according to LKT.

THE BUSINESS TIMES