53-year-old Henry Wong Chuen Yuen, the former director of the National Research Foundation (NRF), a department responsible for shaping the national research and development agenda, is facing allegations of accepting bribes to promote a company’s business interests, according to a report by The Straits Times.
He was charged in court earlier today (23 June) with one count of corruption.
The 53-year-old held the position of director of programmes and the central innovation cluster at the National Research Foundation (NRF), which was set up in 2006 as a department under the Prime Minister’s Office to set the national direction for research and development.
He was also a member of the project evaluation panel at the Built Environment Technology Alliance (Beta), an entity operating under The Building and Construction Authority (BCA).
A spokesperson from the NRF confirmed with ST that Wong had stepped down from his role in February 2022. However, no further comments were provided due to the ongoing legal proceedings.
Similarly, a spokesperson from the BCA stated that in August 2021, Wong had resigned from his position on the project evaluation panel at Beta.
It is alleged that from May to August 2021, Wong accepted gratification in the form of a 30 percent shareholding in Smart Illumination, offered by the company’s director, Lee Tze Boon to advance the company’s business interests.
The Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau, in a statement, revealed that the NRF had referred the case for investigation.
During the court hearing, both Wong and Lee expressed their intention to engage their own legal representation.
The next court date for the two individuals is scheduled for July 13.
If found guilty of the offence of corruption, Wong and Lee could each face a maximum fine of $100,000, as well as an imprisonment term for up to five years, or both.