Corruption charges against HDB senior estate manager, construction firm director withdrawn

SINGAPORE: Corruption charges against a Housing and Development Board (HDB) senior estate manager and the director of a construction firm were withdrawn on Monday (Sep 16).
HDB manager Tan Siam Chua, 61, and Liong Construction director Liong Ah Chye, 62, were each given one charge of corruption in September last year.
On Monday, both men were granted a discharge amounting to acquittal. This means they cannot be charged again over the same offence.
Mr Tan had been accused of instigating Mr Liong to give a false quotation to mislead the Housing Board.
Mr Liong’s lawyers, Mr Tang Shangwei and Ms Dorcas Ong from WongPartnership, argued that the quotation given to HDB was “genuine and legitimate”.
Liong Construction was “ready and willing to perform the said job”, added the defence lawyers.
Mr Liong said in a statement that he was happy that the matter had come to an end.
“The acquittal has vindicated my decision to contest the charges from the very start,” he added.
“This is because my conscience has always been clear and that I have not done any wrong and have never issued any false quotation.
“With the proceedings firmly behind me, I can now close this chapter of my life and focus on my business.
“The past year has been difficult and I am thankful for my family, business partners, employees and lawyers, who stood by me and my company during this time.”
According to TODAY, Mr Tan’s lawyer, Mr Kenneth Au-Yong of Ramdas and Wong, said that his client is happy that his name has been cleared and he hopes for his position in HDB to be restored.
Mr Tan was suspended from service as he had been charged in court, HDB said previously.
Mr Au-Yong said Mr Tan was only paid half of his monthly salary since being charged last year, adding that his bonus was also rescinded, TODAY reported.
The past year has been stressful for Mr Tan and his family, with many sleepless nights, said the defence lawyer.
“I trust justice has been done today,” Mr Tan said, adding that he had been prepared to go to trial to contest the charge.
In response to queries from CNA, HDB said: “Following the court’s judgment today to grant Mr Tan a discharge amounting to an acquittal, HDB will be reviewing Mr Tan’s employment status accordingly.”
“We are in touch with Mr Tan and relevant parties,” the board added.
The Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) said on Tuesday in response to CNA’s query the prosecution had directed that a stern warning be administered to both men “after careful consideration of the facts and circumstances of the matter”.
It then applied for a discharge amounting to acquittal for them.
“In directing that a stern warning be administered, the prosecution took into account that although the offences were disclosed on the evidence, HDB ultimately did not take the quotation into consideration,” AGC said.