Two marine executives face a lengthy stretch in Singapore’s notorious Changi Prison for their part in a bribery scandal over the supply of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) products.
Li Chaoyun, a 50-year-old Singaporean male who was employed by Jurong Shipyard at the time of the offence, was sentenced to 34 months imprisonment and a penalty of SGD 956,600 ($688,184)
Meanwhile, Tam Yit Ngor, a 41-year-old Singapore PR who was director of Newair Engineering Group, was sentenced to 30 months in jail.
Between 2011 and 2014 Tam had given gratifications to Li in return for advancing the business interests of Newair with Jurong Shipyard, according to Singapore’ Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB).
In 2011, Li and Tam set up Newair, a company to manufacture HVAC products, with Li’s wife Liu Li appointed as a director of the company alongside Tam.
Li and Tam are alleged to have used Newair to “secure business” from Jurong Shipyard with Li, then a section manager of the HVAC sub-unit at the shipyard’s engineering department, introducing and recommending Newair to Jurong Shipyard as a supplier for HVAC products.
Between the dates in question, Newair secured total sales of about SGD 34.2m. In return, Tam is said to have given around SGD 960,000 in gratifications to Li.
These gratifications came in the form of Newair’s shares, cash monies and cheques issued to Liu Li, the CPIB said in a statement.
Li and Tam were first charged in court on 28 April 2016 for offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act. They were convicted on 7 August 2018.
“Singapore adopts a strict zero-tolerance approach towards corruption,” the CPIB said.
“ The CPIB takes a serious view of any corrupt practices and will not hesitate to take action against any party involved in such acts.
“Any person who is convicted of a corruption offence can be fined up to SGD 100,000 or sentenced to imprisonment of up to five years or to both.”
