A Singapore shipping executive faces a lengthy stay in Changi Prison after allegedly being caught bribing fellow industry executives to secure work for his company.
Tan Chee Keong, the 49-year-old director of marine services company Hai Hup Huat, has recently been charged with 40 counts of gratification.
He is accused of paying out over SGD 178,150 ($128,086) in bribes on over 310 occasions to boarding officers, shipping agents and employees.
These constitute offences punishable under Section 6(b) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, Chapter 241, according to Singapore’s Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB).
“Individuals and companies which employ corrupt methods to acquire business deals will get into trouble with the law,” said the CPIB.
“Singapore adopts a zero-tolerance approach towards corruption. It is a serious offence to give bribes to another individual or entity.”
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.
