In a startling episode that has captured both national and international attention, Su Haijin, a 40-year-old Cypriot national, leaped from a bungalow to elude arrest during an anti-money laundering operation tied to a staggering $1 billion in cash and assets.

S’pore’s biggest anti-money laundering raid

A Brief Background

Su Haijin’s connection to No Signboard Holdings came to light during a comprehensive search on the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (Acra).

The findings revealed that Su served as a director of the restaurant operator from October 2021 to June 2022. Notably, the company’s 2021 annual report, filed in the previous October, indicated that Su held a substantial 20 percent stake in the organization.

Despite holding a significant stake, Su Haijin voluntarily resigned from his position as a non-executive director. The reason for his departure was attributed to his desire to focus on other personal commitments.

A spokesperson for the company clarified that Su had not been directly involved in the company’s day-to-day business operations, nor had he participated in board meetings or decision-making processes.

Unfolding of the Blitz

The Arrest and Charges

The alarming incident took place as part of a broader crackdown on money laundering. Su Haijin, alongside nine other foreign nationals from Fujian, faced a series of charges that included money laundering, and resisting arrest.

The suspects, ranging in age from 31 to 44, were apprehended following a meticulously coordinated operation involving more than 400 officers from various law enforcement departments.

The suspects were believed to be interconnected, and notably, none of them held Singaporean citizenship or permanent residency. Among the 10 individuals charged, three were Chinese nationals, three were Cambodian, two were Cypriot, and the remaining two originated from Turkey and Ni-Vanuatu.

Su Haijin stood out with the highest number of appointments among the arrested group.

Connections and Holdings

A closer look at Su Haijin’s background revealed his multifaceted engagements. He held positions as a shareholder and director in Aiqinhai Investment, as well as at Daily Glory International, a mobile phone dealership.

The Astonishing Escape

An Unexpected Maneuver

The most attention-grabbing element of this narrative was Su Haijin’s attempt to evade arrest. As officers approached his residence, Su purportedly jumped from the second-floor balcony of his lavish bungalow at Ewart Park near Holland Road, resulting in the fracture of his hands and legs. He was eventually found hiding in a drain by the police and arrested.

A Bizarre Explanation

During the court proceedings, Su offered an intriguing explanation for his drastic actions. He claimed that he thought the knocks on his door were orchestrated by an individual intent on trying to kill him.

He also alleged that he got intimate with a woman in Dubai, and the woman’s boyfriend had been threatening to kill him as a result.

Su’s hearing into his case is set to resume next week.

Recap

A 61-year-old man hailing from Malaysia, employed as a commercial executive at Sembcorp Marine Integrated Yard Private Limited, is facing 14 charges following accusations of engaging in corrupt activities, according to a press release by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB).

Balakrishnan Govindasamy was charged on 16th of August, 2023, in accordance with the provisions outlined in the Prevention of Corruption Act.

He had allegedly acquired or made efforts to acquire forms of gratification in monetary form, amassing no less than S$202,877 from 2015 to 2021, from the contractors of 9 different companies.

CPIB’s statement

Sembcorp Marine Commercial Executive Charged for Alleged Corruption Offences

16 AUG 2023

On 16 August 2023, Balakrishnan A/L Govindasamy (“Balakrishnan”) (61-year-old male Malaysian), a Commercial Executive of Sembcorp Marine Integrated Yard Private Limited at the material time, was charged in Court for allegedly committing corruption offences.

2. Between 2015 and 2021, Balakrishnan was alleged to have corruptly obtained and attempted to obtain gratifications in the form of cash totalling at least S$202,877 from nine contractors representing different companies.

These gratifications were meant as an inducement or reward for advancing the business interests of these contractors with Sembcorp Marine Integrated Yard Private Limited.

For his alleged offences, Balakrishnan faces 14 charges punishable under Section 6(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, of which five charges are amalgamated under Section 124(4) of the Criminal Procedure Code and punishable under Section 124(8) of the Criminal Procedure Code.

3. Singapore adopts a strict zero-tolerance approach towards corruption. Any person who is convicted of a corruption offence under Section 6 of the Prevention of Corruption Act can be fined up to S$100,000 or sentenced to imprisonment of up to five years or both.

Any person who is convicted of an offence under Section 124 of the Criminal Procedure Code can face two times the amount of punishment liable for that offence.

4. Companies are strongly advised to put in place robust procedures in areas such as procurement and internal audit to prevent falling victim to corrupt acts by their employees.

Guidance for companies on measures to prevent corruption can be found in PACT: A Practical Anti-Corruption Guide for Businesses in Singapore, which is available on CPIB’s website. Companies are also strongly encouraged to obtain certification under the Singapore Standard (SS) ISO 37001 – Anti-Bribery Management Systems, which is designed to help companies implement or enhance an anti-bribery management system to reduce corporate risk and costs related to bribery.

A Singaporean male aged 42, previously employed as an executive officer within the National Environment Agency (NEA), was in court on 16 August where he faced 15 charges related to alleged corruption.

Over the period spanning from May 2019 to April 2022, the accused party, identified as Ruzdiman Salhan Bin Mohamed Salim, is said to have engaged in activities involving the solicitation and attempted solicitation of personal gains.

This specifically pertains to the solicitation of loans totaling S$24,420 from a collective of eight present and former personnel associated with YS Yong Services Pte Ltd (YS), according to the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB)

CPIB’s statement

National Environment Agency Executive Officer Charged for Alleged Corruption

16 AUG 2023

On 16 August 2023, Ruzdiman Salhan Bin Mohamed Salim (“Ruzdiman”) (42- year-old male Singaporean), an Executive Officer of the National Environment Agency (“NEA”) at the material time, was charged in Court for allegedly committing corruption.

2. Sometime between May 2019 and April 2022, Ruzdiman was alleged to have obtained and attempted to obtain gratification in the form of loans totalling S$24,420 from eight current and former employees of YS Yong Services Pte Ltd (“YS”). These were inducements to show leniency during the quality assurance audit of cleaning works by YS for the routes under Ruzdiman’s inspection. For his alleged offences, Ruzdiman faces 15 charges punishable under Section 6(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
3. Singapore adopts a strict zero-tolerance approach towards corruption. Any person who is convicted of a corruption offence under Section 6 of the Prevention of Corruption Act can be fined up to S$100,000 or sentenced to imprisonment of up to five years or both.
4. The Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) looks into all corruption-related complaints and reports, including anonymous ones, and can be reached via the following channels:
   a) Lodge an e-Complaint;
   b) Email us at [email protected];
   c) Call the Duty Officer at 1800-376-0000; or
   d) Write to us at the CPIB Headquarters @ 2 Lengkok Bahru, S159047.
5. Where possible, the report should include the following information:
   a) Where, when and how did the alleged corrupt act happen?
   b) Who was involved and what were their roles?
   c) What was the bribe given and the favour shown?

Two men on Facebook have issued public apologies to minister K. Shanmugam, for recirculating allegations about him having an affair with another MP.

Apology from Dave Tham

I apologise that I had put up a scandalous post on Minister K Shanmugam, which also referred to a post supposedly made by his ex wife. I checked with his ex wife, and she confirmed that she did not put the post up. It was put up by someone , pretending to be his ex wife.

I should not have done what I did.

I have removed all posts in regards to the K Shanmugam’s affair with Foo Mee Har as I’ve found out after double checking with his former wife Jothie Rajah to be falsehood

I reached out to K Shanmugam first….and he was kind enough to let the matter rest….as he was aware what truly transpired I’ve also reached out to Ms Foo Mee Har as well apologising to her in regards to the above

At no point in time they’ve threatened or induced me in anyway

For me if I think a wrong is made or done…just do the right thing by righting the wrong asap

Apology from Gordon Ong

On 15 and 16 August 2023, at various times, I published false, scandalous statements about Mr K Shanmugam on various Facebook pages, including my personal Facebook page. I also referred to a post by an imposter who pretended to be Mr Shanmugam’s ex-wife.

I sent these falsehoods actively on no less than 92 occasions on those two days.

I apologise unreservedly to Mr K Shanmugam for making these false and scandalous statements.

I have removed the statements and undertake not to publish any further statements on this, or to make any allegations to the same or similar effect, in any manner whatsoever.

What I did was wrong, and I am very sorry for what I did.

Gordon Ong

Recap