By Danson Cheong, The Straits Times, 30 Dec 2016
The general manager and secretary of Ang Mo Kio Town Council has been removed from his duties and is under investigation by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB).
Mr Victor Wong, who works for CPG Facilities Management, the managing agent of the town council, was asked to go on leave by his company after the town council received a complaint about him in September, town council chairman Ang Hin Kee told The Straits Times yesterday.
Mr Victor Wong, who works for CPG Facilities Management, the managing agent of the town council, was asked to go on leave by his company after the town council received a complaint about him in September, town council chairman Ang Hin Kee told The Straits Times yesterday.
He added that the case had been referred to the CPIB and Mr Wong was removed from his positions at the town council last month.
An acting general manager, Mr Lim Kian Chiong, has been appointed to replace him, according to a notice published last month in the Government Gazette.
Mr Lim is also an employee of CPG Facilities Management, which is contracted to manage the estate.
Mr Ang, who is an MP for Ang Mo Kio GRC, said the town council received a complaint in September about Mr Wong concerning "the way he handles contracts and dealings in the town council".
Mr Ang, who is an MP for Ang Mo Kio GRC, said the town council received a complaint in September about Mr Wong concerning "the way he handles contracts and dealings in the town council".
He added that the complaint "arose out of his dealings which relates to probable behaviour needing investigation done by CPIB".
"Needless to say, the town council ourselves will render all the assistance needed to ensure zero tolerance for corruption," said Mr Ang.
"There's responsibility on the part of our contractors to do the job properly. If they do it inappropriately, then we will take follow-up actions with regard to getting them replaced (and) sending the case for investigation, making sure the necessary steps are taken."
Mr Ang declined to reveal details about the case, citing ongoing investigations, but said that the town council constantly reminded its staff to declare any interests concerning tenders that the council was awarding.
Staff from the managing agent were also reminded that "if there are declarations to be made, if there are interests to declare, the people involved (must) make those declarations", he said.
Mr Ang declined to reveal details about the case, citing ongoing investigations, but said that the town council constantly reminded its staff to declare any interests concerning tenders that the council was awarding.
Staff from the managing agent were also reminded that "if there are declarations to be made, if there are interests to declare, the people involved (must) make those declarations", he said.
He added that the MPs of the GRC had made it a point to personally check on projects performed by its contractors, "so not 100 per cent is done by the managing agent with no oversight".
AMK Town Council is responsible for the housing estates in Ang Mo Kio GRC, which is helmed by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
Mr Ang said that activities on the ground in the town council were unaffected by the development.
"We have made sure that people on the ground - the staff and officers - continue to do their work properly supervised," he said.
Mr Wong could not be reached for comment yesterday evening.
"We have made sure that people on the ground - the staff and officers - continue to do their work properly supervised," he said.
Mr Wong could not be reached for comment yesterday evening.
Overlapping roles can be efficient but safeguards needed
Concern raised over having council officers who also work for estate's managing agents
By Danson Cheong, The Straits Times, 31 Dec 2016
The key officers at town councils are often also employees of the companies hired to manage the estates.
This double-hatting by the staff of the managing agent companies allows for efficient operations and is a common practice, said observers, who added that robust safeguards must be in place to prevent conflicts of interest.
They were commenting on this overlapping of roles after The Straits Times reported on Thursday that Mr Victor Wong, the general manager and secretary of Ang Mo Kio Town Council, had been removed from his duties and was being investigated by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB).
Netizens discussing the case have drawn parallels with the governance and financial lapses at Aljunied-Hougang Town Council (AHTC), run by the Workers' Party.
Mr Wong, who is an employee of CPG Facilities Management, the town council's managing agent, was suspended after the town council received a complaint in September about "the way he handles contracts and dealings in the town council". Ang Mo Kio Town Council chairman Ang Hin Kee said on Thursday that Mr Wong had been removed from his roles last month.
The anti-corruption watchdog yesterday confirmed that it had received a report and was looking into the matter. A spokesman for CPG said Mr Wong had been "suspended from his duties, pending the outcome of the investigations".
National University of Singapore corporate governance expert Mak Yuen Teen said yesterday that the case appeared to be an isolated one so far, and did not seem to indicate a systemic failure.
Concern raised over having council officers who also work for estate's managing agents
By Danson Cheong, The Straits Times, 31 Dec 2016
The key officers at town councils are often also employees of the companies hired to manage the estates.
This double-hatting by the staff of the managing agent companies allows for efficient operations and is a common practice, said observers, who added that robust safeguards must be in place to prevent conflicts of interest.
They were commenting on this overlapping of roles after The Straits Times reported on Thursday that Mr Victor Wong, the general manager and secretary of Ang Mo Kio Town Council, had been removed from his duties and was being investigated by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB).
Netizens discussing the case have drawn parallels with the governance and financial lapses at Aljunied-Hougang Town Council (AHTC), run by the Workers' Party.
Mr Wong, who is an employee of CPG Facilities Management, the town council's managing agent, was suspended after the town council received a complaint in September about "the way he handles contracts and dealings in the town council". Ang Mo Kio Town Council chairman Ang Hin Kee said on Thursday that Mr Wong had been removed from his roles last month.
The anti-corruption watchdog yesterday confirmed that it had received a report and was looking into the matter. A spokesman for CPG said Mr Wong had been "suspended from his duties, pending the outcome of the investigations".
National University of Singapore corporate governance expert Mak Yuen Teen said yesterday that the case appeared to be an isolated one so far, and did not seem to indicate a systemic failure.
"AHTC has more wide-ranging issues, while this case so far involves an individual," said Associate Professor Mak. But he noted that the current case was a criminal investigation, while the CPIB had not been involved in investigating AHTC.
In the case of AHTC, auditors found that the town council was exposed to serious conflicts of interest because the owners and shareholders of its managing agent company also held key positions in the town council.
Referring to this, Singapore Management University asssociate professor of law Eugene Tan noted yesterday that Mr Wong was a staff member of CPG and did not have an ownership stake in the firm. If he were an owner, he would have stood to gain directly through decisions made regarding tenders, for instance, said Prof Tan.
To fully eliminate conflicts of interest, said Prof Mak, town councils should not appoint employees of their managing agent companies as senior officers.
"The best safeguard is to separate the two sides and have a totally arm's length relationship," he said. But he added that this could drive up costs.
Of the 16 town councils here, 14 use managing agents. The two that do not do so now are Bishan-Toa Payoh Town Council and AHTC.
To guard against problems that could arise from double-hatting, staff are constantly reminded to declare any potential conflicts, said four chairmen of People's Action Party-run town councils - Mr Zaqy Mohamad, Mr Baey Yam Keng, Mr Lim Biow Chuan and Mr Ang Wei Neng.
Mr Lim said that tenders and bids must also always be evaluated by a group of people rather than an individual.
Ultimately, said Prof Tan, "no system is foolproof, (and) when people are involved, it is inherent in the system to have human frailties".
Mr Lim said it was important to "make sure that the penalty for dishonesty is severe". He added: "What is clear here is there is no cover-up; whatever the degree of wrongdoing, we will take action."
The Ministry of National Development said it would "determine the appropriate action that needs to be taken when the facts have been ascertained".
The Ministry of National Development said it would "determine the appropriate action that needs to be taken when the facts have been ascertained".
Jurong-Clementi to hire managers directly
By Danson Cheong, The Straits Times, 31 Dec 2016
From February next year, the Jurong-Clementi Town Council will trial a new way of managing its housing estates.
The town council chairman, Mr Ang Wei Neng, told The Straits Times yesterday the council has directly hired eight key executives - one general manager and seven property managers, one for each ward - to oversee staff from its managing agent.
This hybrid model will give MPs in the town greater control over town operations, said Mr Ang, an MP for Jurong GRC.
Currently, the key staff at most town councils are often also employees of the managing agent.
Under the new model, staff from the managing agent will report to these eight executives, who in turn will be under the direct supervision of the Member of Parliament in the area, Mr Ang said.
These town council executives will be able to give an "unbiased evaluation" of any tender bids submitted by companies that might be linked to the managing agent, he said.
The new management system will start in February, when the current contract with the town's managing agent - Cushman & Wakefield - expires.
The Jurong-Clementi Town Council oversees housing estates in Jurong GRC, Yuhua SMC and Bukit Batok SMC.
Mr Ang said planning for the new management system started months ago.
"We have been thinking about it for quite some time. Direct staff will be more in line with the MPs' plans to implement policies as opposed to the managing agent, which has other interests to balance - whether financial or operational," he said.
By Danson Cheong, The Straits Times, 31 Dec 2016
From February next year, the Jurong-Clementi Town Council will trial a new way of managing its housing estates.
The town council chairman, Mr Ang Wei Neng, told The Straits Times yesterday the council has directly hired eight key executives - one general manager and seven property managers, one for each ward - to oversee staff from its managing agent.
This hybrid model will give MPs in the town greater control over town operations, said Mr Ang, an MP for Jurong GRC.
Currently, the key staff at most town councils are often also employees of the managing agent.
Under the new model, staff from the managing agent will report to these eight executives, who in turn will be under the direct supervision of the Member of Parliament in the area, Mr Ang said.
These town council executives will be able to give an "unbiased evaluation" of any tender bids submitted by companies that might be linked to the managing agent, he said.
The new management system will start in February, when the current contract with the town's managing agent - Cushman & Wakefield - expires.
The Jurong-Clementi Town Council oversees housing estates in Jurong GRC, Yuhua SMC and Bukit Batok SMC.
Mr Ang said planning for the new management system started months ago.
"We have been thinking about it for quite some time. Direct staff will be more in line with the MPs' plans to implement policies as opposed to the managing agent, which has other interests to balance - whether financial or operational," he said.
Asked whether the model would be replicated elsewhere, Mr Ang said other People's Action Party town councils will be studying what happens closely.
"It's too early to say, but they are very keen to look at our model and see whether it works for the better," he said.
"It's too early to say, but they are very keen to look at our model and see whether it works for the better," he said.
* No one will be spared, nothing will be swept under the carpet: K. Shanmugam on probe of Ang Mo Kio Town Council ex-GM
Town council's response 'shows essence of how Govt works'
Shanmugam cites quick action taken by AMKTC after complaint about its former general manager
By Ng Huiwen, The Straits Times, 7 Jan 2017
The swift response by the PAP-run Ang Mo Kio Town Council (AMKTC) after a complaint against its then general manager shows the "essence of how the Government operates", Home Affairs and Law Minister K. Shanmugam said yesterday.
"Regardless of who and regardless of the fact that this is the general manager of Ang Mo Kio Town Council, if there is an allegation, it will be investigated and no one will be spared," he said about Mr Victor Wong, who is under investigation by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB).
"No town council, no one, nothing will be swept under the carpet. That is why Singapore is successful, because we take probity in public office very, very seriously."
Mr Shanmugam was responding to questions by The Straits Times about the case, after briefing the media on a review of criminal processes for young suspects.
AMKTC removed Mr Wong from his posts last November after it received a complaint concerning his handling of contracts at the town council. Mr Wong is an employee of AMKTC's managing agent, CPG Facilities Management.
AMKTC, which looks after estates in Ang Mo Kio GRC, which is helmed by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, referred the case to the CPIB. Mr Shanmugam contrasted this with the practices of the Aljunied-Hougang Town Council (AHTC), run by the Workers' Party (WP).
The owners and shareholders of AHTC's managing agent, FM Solutions and Services, had held key positions in the town council, and a report by auditor KPMG last year said it had resulted in serious conflicts of interest that exposed millions in public funds to improper use. KPMG also said the lapses, if deliberate, could amount to criminal conduct.
Town council's response 'shows essence of how Govt works'
Shanmugam cites quick action taken by AMKTC after complaint about its former general manager
By Ng Huiwen, The Straits Times, 7 Jan 2017
The swift response by the PAP-run Ang Mo Kio Town Council (AMKTC) after a complaint against its then general manager shows the "essence of how the Government operates", Home Affairs and Law Minister K. Shanmugam said yesterday.
"Regardless of who and regardless of the fact that this is the general manager of Ang Mo Kio Town Council, if there is an allegation, it will be investigated and no one will be spared," he said about Mr Victor Wong, who is under investigation by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB).
"No town council, no one, nothing will be swept under the carpet. That is why Singapore is successful, because we take probity in public office very, very seriously."
Mr Shanmugam was responding to questions by The Straits Times about the case, after briefing the media on a review of criminal processes for young suspects.
AMKTC removed Mr Wong from his posts last November after it received a complaint concerning his handling of contracts at the town council. Mr Wong is an employee of AMKTC's managing agent, CPG Facilities Management.
AMKTC, which looks after estates in Ang Mo Kio GRC, which is helmed by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, referred the case to the CPIB. Mr Shanmugam contrasted this with the practices of the Aljunied-Hougang Town Council (AHTC), run by the Workers' Party (WP).
The owners and shareholders of AHTC's managing agent, FM Solutions and Services, had held key positions in the town council, and a report by auditor KPMG last year said it had resulted in serious conflicts of interest that exposed millions in public funds to improper use. KPMG also said the lapses, if deliberate, could amount to criminal conduct.
Mr Shanmugam compared the actions taken at AMKTC with the situation at AHTC, which he noted was "the only place where this Government is not in charge". He said of AHTC: "In that one place, first you have people appointing their cronies to run the town council. You have the town councillors being misled about the terms on which the cronies were appointed. You have Parliament being misled, and the High Court said so. You have the Court of Appeal being misled."
He noted that the auditors were still looking into AHTC's books, and said: "There is more to come, but this is not the way to do things. The way to do it is to disclose all the information, be upfront, hand it over, and then let the law take its course, not hide every step of the way."
When asked about the view that a People's Action Party-run town council should be held to higher standards, he said: "You are not going to get angels in power all the time. The real point is whether the system as a whole is clean, whether the man at the top is clean, and whether the systems move quickly and immediately and forcefully, regardless of who it is."
He added: "You look for clean people, but sometimes people fall prey to temptation. You cannot prevent that, not now, not ever."
The WP, in response, said in a statement that the law should be allowed to run its course. "Premature speculation, especially when done by influential people, may pervert the course of justice by shaping investigations," it said.
It cited as an example Mr Shanmugam's past criticism about a lapse at AHTC that involved the use of manual journal entries to record about $60 million in payments to third parties.
The WP said yesterday: "Some people jumped prematurely on the possibility of fraud and fictitious payment without waiting for the results of the audit.
"When no fraud and fictitious payments were found, the speculators kept quiet."
*2018* Ex-Ang Mo Kio Town Council GM charged with accepting $107,000 worth of bribes, including remittances to mistress in China
By Yuen Sin, The Straits Times, 15 Mar 2018
A former general manager and secretary of Ang Mo Kio Town Council (AMKTC), who allegedly took bribes amounting to $107,000 from the directors of two building companies, was charged with corruption yesterday.
Wong Chee Meng, 58, who is also known as Victor Wong, faces 55 counts of corruptly accepting gratification from Chia Sin Lan, the director and shareholder of 19-ANC Enterprise and 19-NS2 Enterprise, and Ms Yip Fong Yin, also a director of 19-NS2, in exchange for advancing the business interests of the companies with the town council, State Courts documents show.
The alleged bribes included overseas remittances to his mistress in China, a job for his daughter-in-law, entertainment expenses at KTV lounges, spa treatments and stays at budget hotels.
The alleged offences took place between December 2014 and September 2016.
Alleged co-conspirator Chia, 62, is accused of 54 counts of offering bribes to Wong. He also faces one count of abetment for allegedly conspiring with Ms Yip to bribe Wong by making arrangements for Wong to receive a $13,500 discount on a car he bought.
Chia's companies each faces one charge of corruption for conspiring to bribe Wong to advance their business interests with the town council.
According to the Building and Construction Authority's directory, both businesses are licensed builders and registered to carry out repair and redecoration works.
As general manager, Wong was the most senior executive in the town council, but his employer was CPG Facilities Management, the town council's managing agent.
He was removed from duty after the town council received a complaint about him in September 2016 over "the way he handles contracts and dealings in the town council".
He was later investigated by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB).
** Former Ang Mo Kio Town Council GM's graft trial
Ex-GM of Ang Mo Kio Town Council on trial over $107,000 in bribes
Contracts worth millions were awarded to two firms whose directors allegedly bribed him
By Seow Bei Yi and Adrian Lim, Transport Correspondent, The Straits Times, 26 Sep 2018
During the period a former Ang Mo Kio Town Council general manager allegedly took bribes from two company directors, the town council awarded tenders and contracts worth millions of dollars to the duo's two companies.
These included repair and redecoration works on blocks of Housing Board flats as well as the construction of community gardens, court documents revealed on the first day of the trial of former general manager Wong Chee Meng yesterday.
Wong, 58, pleaded not guilty to taking the bribes totalling more than $107,000, mostly from Chia Sin Lan, 63, a director and major shareholder of companies 19-ANC Enterprise and 19-NS2 Enterprise, whose core business is doing works for town councils.
The "lion's share of the gratification", amounting to almost $53,000, was in the form of entertainment expenses at KTV lounges and massage parlours which Wong, who is also known as Victor, and Chia frequented, Deputy Public Prosecutor Alan Loh said yesterday.
"As the general manager of (the town council), Victor Wong had the power and ability to influence the award of (its) projects," he added in his opening statement.
But instead of exercising his role impartially, Wong "fell far short of the high standards of integrity demanded of his office and allowed himself to be cultivated by (Chia) and had become beholden to him, 19-ANC, and 19-NS2", said DPP Loh.
In a statement to the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB), Wong, who became general manager of the town council in 2013, said Chia and his associate would often offer to pick up the tab when they went drinking as they wanted to cultivate good relations.
"I know that I should not have let them pay or even gone drinking with them, but I was very troubled at the point in time as I was facing problems in my marriage," Wong added in his statement to CPIB chief special investigator Jeffrey Tan, the first witness to take the stand yesterday.
Wong said he would try to pay the bills as well and did so several times. He added that he did not go drinking with other contractors.
Other alleged benefits he received included a $13,500 discount on a car he bought via an arrangement involving Ms Yip Fong Yin, another 19-NS2 Enterprise director.
The WP said yesterday: "Some people jumped prematurely on the possibility of fraud and fictitious payment without waiting for the results of the audit.
"When no fraud and fictitious payments were found, the speculators kept quiet."
*2018* Ex-Ang Mo Kio Town Council GM charged with accepting $107,000 worth of bribes, including remittances to mistress in China
By Yuen Sin, The Straits Times, 15 Mar 2018
A former general manager and secretary of Ang Mo Kio Town Council (AMKTC), who allegedly took bribes amounting to $107,000 from the directors of two building companies, was charged with corruption yesterday.
Wong Chee Meng, 58, who is also known as Victor Wong, faces 55 counts of corruptly accepting gratification from Chia Sin Lan, the director and shareholder of 19-ANC Enterprise and 19-NS2 Enterprise, and Ms Yip Fong Yin, also a director of 19-NS2, in exchange for advancing the business interests of the companies with the town council, State Courts documents show.
The alleged bribes included overseas remittances to his mistress in China, a job for his daughter-in-law, entertainment expenses at KTV lounges, spa treatments and stays at budget hotels.
The alleged offences took place between December 2014 and September 2016.
Alleged co-conspirator Chia, 62, is accused of 54 counts of offering bribes to Wong. He also faces one count of abetment for allegedly conspiring with Ms Yip to bribe Wong by making arrangements for Wong to receive a $13,500 discount on a car he bought.
Chia's companies each faces one charge of corruption for conspiring to bribe Wong to advance their business interests with the town council.
According to the Building and Construction Authority's directory, both businesses are licensed builders and registered to carry out repair and redecoration works.
As general manager, Wong was the most senior executive in the town council, but his employer was CPG Facilities Management, the town council's managing agent.
He was removed from duty after the town council received a complaint about him in September 2016 over "the way he handles contracts and dealings in the town council".
He was later investigated by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB).
The town council appointed a new general manager, Mr Ang Boon Peng, last April, about five months after Wong was removed.
Wong's lawyer Tang Shangwei and Chia's lawyer Michael Loh said that both men intend to claim trial, and each of them is out on a $100,000 bail.
Their passports have been impounded, and their case will be heard on April 11.
If convicted, each could be fined up to $100,000 and jailed for a maximum of seven years on each charge.
The companies could each face a fine of up to $100,000 under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The CPIB said in a statement yesterday that Singapore adopts a zero-tolerance approach towards corruption, and it "takes a serious view of any corrupt practices and will not hesitate to take action against any party involved in such acts".
WHERE THE MONEY REPORTEDLY WENT TO
The Straits Times, 15 Mar 2018
For almost two years, Wong Chee Meng, 58, the former general manager of Ang Mo Kio Town Council, allegedly accepted bribes from building firm director Chia Sin Lan, 62.
The alleged bribes, to advance Chia's business interests, added up to about $107,000.
They include:
• Remittances to Wong's mistress in China that amounted to $30,600.
The CPIB said in a statement yesterday that Singapore adopts a zero-tolerance approach towards corruption, and it "takes a serious view of any corrupt practices and will not hesitate to take action against any party involved in such acts".
WHERE THE MONEY REPORTEDLY WENT TO
The Straits Times, 15 Mar 2018
For almost two years, Wong Chee Meng, 58, the former general manager of Ang Mo Kio Town Council, allegedly accepted bribes from building firm director Chia Sin Lan, 62.
The alleged bribes, to advance Chia's business interests, added up to about $107,000.
They include:
• Remittances to Wong's mistress in China that amounted to $30,600.
• Restaurant meals that cost close to a total of $5,000.
• A $13,500 discount on a Toyota Corolla Altis that Wong had bought.
• A "spa treatment" in Geylang that cost around $1,070.
• Stays at Fragrance Hotel and Hotel 81 which cost, respectively, about $35 and $30. Both are budget hotels.
• Entertainment expenses of more than $40,000 at various KTV lounges and nightclubs in Singapore.
• A job for Wong's daughter-in-law Le Thi Hien at 4-Ever Engineering firm. Chia's company 19-ANC Enterprise paid a total of $8,247.67 in salary for her between March and August 2016,
• Charges amounting to $2,527.76 for Wong's use of an M1 mobile phone line.
• Charges amounting to $2,527.76 for Wong's use of an M1 mobile phone line.
** Former Ang Mo Kio Town Council GM's graft trial
Ex-GM of Ang Mo Kio Town Council on trial over $107,000 in bribes
Contracts worth millions were awarded to two firms whose directors allegedly bribed him
By Seow Bei Yi and Adrian Lim, Transport Correspondent, The Straits Times, 26 Sep 2018
During the period a former Ang Mo Kio Town Council general manager allegedly took bribes from two company directors, the town council awarded tenders and contracts worth millions of dollars to the duo's two companies.
These included repair and redecoration works on blocks of Housing Board flats as well as the construction of community gardens, court documents revealed on the first day of the trial of former general manager Wong Chee Meng yesterday.
Wong, 58, pleaded not guilty to taking the bribes totalling more than $107,000, mostly from Chia Sin Lan, 63, a director and major shareholder of companies 19-ANC Enterprise and 19-NS2 Enterprise, whose core business is doing works for town councils.
The "lion's share of the gratification", amounting to almost $53,000, was in the form of entertainment expenses at KTV lounges and massage parlours which Wong, who is also known as Victor, and Chia frequented, Deputy Public Prosecutor Alan Loh said yesterday.
"As the general manager of (the town council), Victor Wong had the power and ability to influence the award of (its) projects," he added in his opening statement.
But instead of exercising his role impartially, Wong "fell far short of the high standards of integrity demanded of his office and allowed himself to be cultivated by (Chia) and had become beholden to him, 19-ANC, and 19-NS2", said DPP Loh.
In a statement to the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB), Wong, who became general manager of the town council in 2013, said Chia and his associate would often offer to pick up the tab when they went drinking as they wanted to cultivate good relations.
"I know that I should not have let them pay or even gone drinking with them, but I was very troubled at the point in time as I was facing problems in my marriage," Wong added in his statement to CPIB chief special investigator Jeffrey Tan, the first witness to take the stand yesterday.
Wong said he would try to pay the bills as well and did so several times. He added that he did not go drinking with other contractors.
While he told CPIB the discount was due to the high mileage the car had clocked, Wong conceded this typically knocked $1,000 or so off the price, rather than over $10,000.
Wong is also said to have taken bribes in the form of remittances totalling $30,600 that was sent to his mistress in China, among other charges. He met his mistress Xu Hongmei in 2015 when she was working in Singapore. When she travelled back to China, the single mother asked him for financial help, like paying renovation bills.
When Wong told Chia about these issues, Chia said he would help to settle them. The court also heard that Wong was in China with Chia on two occasions in 2016, during which he visited Ms Xu and got to know Chia's supplier for eco-friendly incense paper burners. Wong told CPIB he did not declare the visits, which were made in his personal capacity.
In another statement in October 2016, Wong said he felt obligated to Chia's firms, and wanted to help them using his authority at work.
In a town council tender for incense burners, for example, he told a colleague to focus on the environmental aspects, knowing that although 19-ANC was the fourth-lowest bidder, it would get a high-quality rating for environment factors and be likely to win the tender.
But the next month, Wong told CPIB his earlier statement was incorrect and he had not been in the right state of mind because of his daughter's impending wedding.
His lawyer Melanie Ho of WongPartnership asked Mr Tan, who took Wong's statement, if he may have decided not to fight the allegations earlier owing to "family pressures". Mr Tan disagreed.
Chia's lawyer Michael Loh of Clifford Law suggested Wong could have made the statements to CPIB out of fear. Again, Mr Tan disagreed.
The trial resumes today.
Wong is also said to have taken bribes in the form of remittances totalling $30,600 that was sent to his mistress in China, among other charges. He met his mistress Xu Hongmei in 2015 when she was working in Singapore. When she travelled back to China, the single mother asked him for financial help, like paying renovation bills.
When Wong told Chia about these issues, Chia said he would help to settle them. The court also heard that Wong was in China with Chia on two occasions in 2016, during which he visited Ms Xu and got to know Chia's supplier for eco-friendly incense paper burners. Wong told CPIB he did not declare the visits, which were made in his personal capacity.
In another statement in October 2016, Wong said he felt obligated to Chia's firms, and wanted to help them using his authority at work.
In a town council tender for incense burners, for example, he told a colleague to focus on the environmental aspects, knowing that although 19-ANC was the fourth-lowest bidder, it would get a high-quality rating for environment factors and be likely to win the tender.
But the next month, Wong told CPIB his earlier statement was incorrect and he had not been in the right state of mind because of his daughter's impending wedding.
His lawyer Melanie Ho of WongPartnership asked Mr Tan, who took Wong's statement, if he may have decided not to fight the allegations earlier owing to "family pressures". Mr Tan disagreed.
Chia's lawyer Michael Loh of Clifford Law suggested Wong could have made the statements to CPIB out of fear. Again, Mr Tan disagreed.
The trial resumes today.
The charges
The Straits Times, 26 Sep 2018
The former general manager of Ang Mo Kio Town Council, Wong Chee Meng, faces 55 charges involving taking bribes from directors of two companies: 19-ANC Enterprise and 19-NS2 Enterprise. In all, he is accused of receiving more than $107,000. The charges include:
• Remittances to his mistress Xu Hongmei in China totalling $30,600;
• Getting a discount of about $13,500 for a Toyota Corolla Altis he bought via an arrangement involving a 19-NS2 director;
• Entertainment expenses of close to $53,000 at various KTV lounges and massage parlours which Wong frequented with a 19-ANC director; and
• Getting a subcontractor of the two companies to employ his daughter-in-law Le Thi Hien. 19-ANC paid more than $8,200 towards her salary between March and August 2016.
Court documents show 11 tenders and quotations were awarded to 19-ANC and 19-NS2 between September 2014 and July 2016. These were for:
• Removal of a clock tower, trees and reinstatement works at Cheng San-Seletar Division(September 2014);
• Repair and redecoration (R&R) works for 17 blocks of Housing Board flats in Ang Mo Kio (October 2014);
• Construction of a community garden near Block 533 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 5 (June 2015);
• Construction of a community garden between Block 570 and Block 572 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3 (June 2015);
• R&R works for seven carpark blocks in Sengkang West Division (August 2015);
• R&R works for 25 blocks of flats and two market and hawker centres in Cheng San-Seletar Division (August 2015);
• R&R works for 11 blocks of flats in Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10 (December 2015);
• Supply of eco-incense burner in Ang Mo Kio Town Council (December 2015);
• Supply of eco-incense burner (May 2016);
• Construction of a community garden near Block 307D Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1 (July 2016); and
• Supply and replacement of seating facilities at the void decks of Block 426 to 429 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3 (July 2016).
The Straits Times, 26 Sep 2018
The former general manager of Ang Mo Kio Town Council, Wong Chee Meng, faces 55 charges involving taking bribes from directors of two companies: 19-ANC Enterprise and 19-NS2 Enterprise. In all, he is accused of receiving more than $107,000. The charges include:
• Remittances to his mistress Xu Hongmei in China totalling $30,600;
• Getting a discount of about $13,500 for a Toyota Corolla Altis he bought via an arrangement involving a 19-NS2 director;
• Entertainment expenses of close to $53,000 at various KTV lounges and massage parlours which Wong frequented with a 19-ANC director; and
• Getting a subcontractor of the two companies to employ his daughter-in-law Le Thi Hien. 19-ANC paid more than $8,200 towards her salary between March and August 2016.
Court documents show 11 tenders and quotations were awarded to 19-ANC and 19-NS2 between September 2014 and July 2016. These were for:
• Removal of a clock tower, trees and reinstatement works at Cheng San-Seletar Division(September 2014);
• Repair and redecoration (R&R) works for 17 blocks of Housing Board flats in Ang Mo Kio (October 2014);
• Construction of a community garden near Block 533 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 5 (June 2015);
• Construction of a community garden between Block 570 and Block 572 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3 (June 2015);
• R&R works for seven carpark blocks in Sengkang West Division (August 2015);
• R&R works for 25 blocks of flats and two market and hawker centres in Cheng San-Seletar Division (August 2015);
• R&R works for 11 blocks of flats in Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10 (December 2015);
• Supply of eco-incense burner in Ang Mo Kio Town Council (December 2015);
• Supply of eco-incense burner (May 2016);
• Construction of a community garden near Block 307D Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1 (July 2016); and
• Supply and replacement of seating facilities at the void decks of Block 426 to 429 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3 (July 2016).
Director accused of bribing town council's ex-GM changes his tune day after giving statement
Director at first denied giving bribes to town council ex-GM
By Adrian Lim, Transport Correspondent, The Straits Times, 27 Sep 2018
A company director on trial for allegedly giving bribes totalling more than $107,000 to a former town council general manager changed his tune a day after giving his statement to an anti-graft investigator.
Chia Sin Lan, 63, told a Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) officer on Oct 5, 2016 that he had thought about his family and decided to "tell the truth", the court heard yesterday.
The previous day, he had denied giving money to the former general manager of Ang Mo Kio Town Council, Wong Chee Meng.
Chia told CPIB principal special investigator Keith Peh on Oct 5 that he had actually given $20,000 to the mistress of Wong, 58.
Both Chia and Wong are on trial for corruption.
Chia, who is facing 54 counts of bribing Wong to advance the interests of his companies, also said he had paid for all the entertainment expenses incurred when he went on two trips to China with Wong in 2016.
In his initial statement, he had said they took turns to foot the bill.
Director at first denied giving bribes to town council ex-GM
By Adrian Lim, Transport Correspondent, The Straits Times, 27 Sep 2018
Chia Sin Lan, 63, told a Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) officer on Oct 5, 2016 that he had thought about his family and decided to "tell the truth", the court heard yesterday.
The previous day, he had denied giving money to the former general manager of Ang Mo Kio Town Council, Wong Chee Meng.
Chia told CPIB principal special investigator Keith Peh on Oct 5 that he had actually given $20,000 to the mistress of Wong, 58.
Both Chia and Wong are on trial for corruption.
Chia, who is facing 54 counts of bribing Wong to advance the interests of his companies, also said he had paid for all the entertainment expenses incurred when he went on two trips to China with Wong in 2016.
In his initial statement, he had said they took turns to foot the bill.
These and other details emerged when Mr Peh took the stand, on the second day of trial into the gratifications which Chia had allegedly provided to Wong for almost two years, up to 2016.
Wong faces 55 charges for receiving the bribes, with the "lion's share" of the gratifications - or close to $53,000 - going to entertainment expenses incurred by the two accused at various KTV lounges and massage parlours, the prosecution said.
During the period when Wong received the gratifications, Chia's companies - 19-ANC Enterprise and 19-NS2 Enterprise - were given tenders and contracts worth millions of dollars by Ang Mo Kio Town Council, the prosecution added.
These were for projects such as repair and redecoration of Housing Board blocks.
The court heard that Chia had set up 19-NS2 to take on subcontracted jobs from 19-ANC, thus allowing him to bid for projects of a bigger scale. He was paid a monthly salary of about $10,000 by 19-ANC and $5,000 by 19-NS2.
In his statement recorded by Mr Peh, Chia also said he was approached by Wong to find a job for his daughter-in-law Le Thi Hien. He did so, with a subcontractor of 19-ANC and 19-NS2. Ms Le's salary, however, was paid by Chia and his business associate Tay Eng Chuan, a director of 19-NS2.
Earlier yesterday, Wong's lawyer Melanie Ho, of WongPartnership, told the State Court that Wong had forked out more than $10,000 from his own pocket to pay the bills when he went drinking with Chia. Ms Ho disclosed this while cross-examining CPIB's chief special investigator Tan Jun Kiat.
She said Wong had told the CPIB he had attempted to pay for the entertainment sessions with Chia and his associates, and did so on a few occasions.
She then asked Mr Tan why he did not verify this further when taking Wong's statement in 2016.
Mr Tan said he did not do it as Wong was unable to show proof that he had paid for the expenses, adding that he was unaware if this was later verified by other CPIB colleagues. The trial continues today.
During the period when Wong received the gratifications, Chia's companies - 19-ANC Enterprise and 19-NS2 Enterprise - were given tenders and contracts worth millions of dollars by Ang Mo Kio Town Council, the prosecution added.
These were for projects such as repair and redecoration of Housing Board blocks.
The court heard that Chia had set up 19-NS2 to take on subcontracted jobs from 19-ANC, thus allowing him to bid for projects of a bigger scale. He was paid a monthly salary of about $10,000 by 19-ANC and $5,000 by 19-NS2.
In his statement recorded by Mr Peh, Chia also said he was approached by Wong to find a job for his daughter-in-law Le Thi Hien. He did so, with a subcontractor of 19-ANC and 19-NS2. Ms Le's salary, however, was paid by Chia and his business associate Tay Eng Chuan, a director of 19-NS2.
Earlier yesterday, Wong's lawyer Melanie Ho, of WongPartnership, told the State Court that Wong had forked out more than $10,000 from his own pocket to pay the bills when he went drinking with Chia. Ms Ho disclosed this while cross-examining CPIB's chief special investigator Tan Jun Kiat.
She said Wong had told the CPIB he had attempted to pay for the entertainment sessions with Chia and his associates, and did so on a few occasions.
She then asked Mr Tan why he did not verify this further when taking Wong's statement in 2016.
Mr Tan said he did not do it as Wong was unable to show proof that he had paid for the expenses, adding that he was unaware if this was later verified by other CPIB colleagues. The trial continues today.
Foreman paid bills for cellphone he did not use
He says he was told to do so by director of a firm owned by Chia Sin Lan, also in the dock
By Adrian Lim, Transport Correspondent, The Straits Times, 28 Sep 2018
For about a year, foreman Ng Fook Meng paid the bills - of up to a few hundred dollars each month - for a mobile-phone line he did not use.
Mr Ng had been instructed by his boss to apply for the line in 2015 and to give him the iPhone and SIM card, with the foreman to be reimbursed for all charges incurred.
Mr Ng, whose name had surfaced a day before in a corruption trial involving former Ang Mo Kio Town Council general manager Wong Chee Meng, was in court yesterday to give evidence on the phone line.
The court earlier heard that an M1-registered mobile phone was given by company director Chia Sin Lan, 63, to Wong, 58, when Chia's statement to the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) was read out.
Both Chia and Wong are being tried over bribes amounting to more than $107,000, which Chia allegedly gave to Wong in almost two years. This was in exchange for advancing the business interests of Chia's companies - 19-ANC Enterprise and 19-NS2 Enterprise, which did work such as repairs and redecoration for town councils.
Both firms were awarded contracts and tenders worth millions of dollars by Ang Mo Kio Town Council during the time the alleged bribery took place, the prosecution said.
Of the 55 charges brought against Wong, one of them involves the free use of a mobile phone, with total charges of more than $2,500 incurred in 2015 and 2016.
Mr Ng said on the third day of the trial that he had been asked by Mr Tay Eng Chuan, a director with 19-NS2, to apply for the line, and he was unaware of who was using the line. Mr Ng said he eventually terminated the line after the bills showed that it was no longer being used, and that he had asked Mr Tay for permission to do so.
Mr Ng added that he has known Mr Tay for 18 to 19 years.
Earlier yesterday, Chia's lawyer Michael Loh contended that his client had been upfront about his relationship with Wong, and said the two were friends who frequented karaoke clubs and made two trips to China together.
Through the statements given to the CPIB, it did not appear that Chia was trying to distance himself from Wong, said Mr Loh, when cross-examining CPIB principal special investigator Keith Peh. Mr Peh had taken Chia's statement in October 2016.
Chia had said in his statement that he is "just friends" with Wong, who he met some time between 2005 and 2007, when Wong was working with Marine Parade Town Council.
While a handwritten ledger seized from Chia showed expenses that included charges for the use of a cellphone given to Wong, $20,000 given to Wong's mistress in China, and meals and other entertainment expenses, Mr Loh argued these did not suggest anything illegal being done as the two men were friends.
The trial is scheduled to resume in November.
Town council ex-GM and company director plead guilty to corruption charges
Construction firms' director gave bribes to then GM for 2 years to secure contracts
By Adrian Lim, Political Correspondent, The Straits Times, 26 Mar 2019
Over two years, a town council's general manager was treated to KTV sessions - including alcoholic drinks, tips for staff and flower garlands for lounge singers - by a director of two construction companies.
Wong Chee Meng, 59, also received other bribes from Chia Sin Lan, 63, such as a $13,500 discount on a used car and financial transfers totalling close to $27,800 to his mistress in China.
In exchange, Wong, then general manager of Ang Mo Kio Town Council (AMKTC), used his position to influence the outcome of tenders which Chia's firms were bidding for, such as by instructing staff to adjust tender scores in their favour.
Yesterday, the duo pleaded guilty to the charges of corruption, ending a trial that started last September.
The gratification, amounting to more than $86,000, was given by Chia between 2014 and 2016, to further the business interests of his firms, 19-ANC Enterprise and 19-NS2 Enterprise. According to court documents, Wong, who worked for CPG Facilities Management, AMKTC's managing agent, had become "beholden" to Chia.
Wong, also known as Victor, was AMKTC's general manager from 2013 to 2016. In September 2016, AMKTC received a complaint about the way Wong had handled contracts. He was removed from duty a month later and later investigated by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau.
AMKTC awarded more work to the two firms between 2014 and 2015. In 2016, 19-ANC was awarded jobs worth $121,150.
In a 2016 tender for the supply of low-emission incense burners, for example, 19-ANC was the fourth lowest bidder, and AMKTC's contract manager had recommended that the contract be awarded to the lowest bidder, Uniquetech.
But knowing that 19-ANC's incense burners were the most environmentally friendly, Wong told his staff to focus on this aspect, raising the tender evaluation score for 19-ANC, while decreasing Uniquetech's. He also denied requests from other tenderers to produce a mock-up burner to meet the town council's requirements.
"As a result, the other tenderers were unable to compete on equal terms as the incumbent 19-ANC, which was already supplying burners to AMKTC at the material time under a prior award," court documents said.
He says he was told to do so by director of a firm owned by Chia Sin Lan, also in the dock
By Adrian Lim, Transport Correspondent, The Straits Times, 28 Sep 2018
For about a year, foreman Ng Fook Meng paid the bills - of up to a few hundred dollars each month - for a mobile-phone line he did not use.
Mr Ng had been instructed by his boss to apply for the line in 2015 and to give him the iPhone and SIM card, with the foreman to be reimbursed for all charges incurred.
Mr Ng, whose name had surfaced a day before in a corruption trial involving former Ang Mo Kio Town Council general manager Wong Chee Meng, was in court yesterday to give evidence on the phone line.
The court earlier heard that an M1-registered mobile phone was given by company director Chia Sin Lan, 63, to Wong, 58, when Chia's statement to the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) was read out.
Both Chia and Wong are being tried over bribes amounting to more than $107,000, which Chia allegedly gave to Wong in almost two years. This was in exchange for advancing the business interests of Chia's companies - 19-ANC Enterprise and 19-NS2 Enterprise, which did work such as repairs and redecoration for town councils.
Both firms were awarded contracts and tenders worth millions of dollars by Ang Mo Kio Town Council during the time the alleged bribery took place, the prosecution said.
Of the 55 charges brought against Wong, one of them involves the free use of a mobile phone, with total charges of more than $2,500 incurred in 2015 and 2016.
Mr Ng said on the third day of the trial that he had been asked by Mr Tay Eng Chuan, a director with 19-NS2, to apply for the line, and he was unaware of who was using the line. Mr Ng said he eventually terminated the line after the bills showed that it was no longer being used, and that he had asked Mr Tay for permission to do so.
Mr Ng added that he has known Mr Tay for 18 to 19 years.
Earlier yesterday, Chia's lawyer Michael Loh contended that his client had been upfront about his relationship with Wong, and said the two were friends who frequented karaoke clubs and made two trips to China together.
Through the statements given to the CPIB, it did not appear that Chia was trying to distance himself from Wong, said Mr Loh, when cross-examining CPIB principal special investigator Keith Peh. Mr Peh had taken Chia's statement in October 2016.
Chia had said in his statement that he is "just friends" with Wong, who he met some time between 2005 and 2007, when Wong was working with Marine Parade Town Council.
While a handwritten ledger seized from Chia showed expenses that included charges for the use of a cellphone given to Wong, $20,000 given to Wong's mistress in China, and meals and other entertainment expenses, Mr Loh argued these did not suggest anything illegal being done as the two men were friends.
The trial is scheduled to resume in November.
Town council ex-GM and company director plead guilty to corruption charges
Construction firms' director gave bribes to then GM for 2 years to secure contracts
By Adrian Lim, Political Correspondent, The Straits Times, 26 Mar 2019
Over two years, a town council's general manager was treated to KTV sessions - including alcoholic drinks, tips for staff and flower garlands for lounge singers - by a director of two construction companies.
Wong Chee Meng, 59, also received other bribes from Chia Sin Lan, 63, such as a $13,500 discount on a used car and financial transfers totalling close to $27,800 to his mistress in China.
In exchange, Wong, then general manager of Ang Mo Kio Town Council (AMKTC), used his position to influence the outcome of tenders which Chia's firms were bidding for, such as by instructing staff to adjust tender scores in their favour.
Yesterday, the duo pleaded guilty to the charges of corruption, ending a trial that started last September.
The gratification, amounting to more than $86,000, was given by Chia between 2014 and 2016, to further the business interests of his firms, 19-ANC Enterprise and 19-NS2 Enterprise. According to court documents, Wong, who worked for CPG Facilities Management, AMKTC's managing agent, had become "beholden" to Chia.
Wong, also known as Victor, was AMKTC's general manager from 2013 to 2016. In September 2016, AMKTC received a complaint about the way Wong had handled contracts. He was removed from duty a month later and later investigated by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau.
AMKTC awarded more work to the two firms between 2014 and 2015. In 2016, 19-ANC was awarded jobs worth $121,150.
In a 2016 tender for the supply of low-emission incense burners, for example, 19-ANC was the fourth lowest bidder, and AMKTC's contract manager had recommended that the contract be awarded to the lowest bidder, Uniquetech.
But knowing that 19-ANC's incense burners were the most environmentally friendly, Wong told his staff to focus on this aspect, raising the tender evaluation score for 19-ANC, while decreasing Uniquetech's. He also denied requests from other tenderers to produce a mock-up burner to meet the town council's requirements.
"As a result, the other tenderers were unable to compete on equal terms as the incumbent 19-ANC, which was already supplying burners to AMKTC at the material time under a prior award," court documents said.
Wong also admitted influencing his staff to include 19-ANC in the list of contractors to invite for quotations. These are given for ad hoc works valued at less than $70,000, when no tenders are called.
"Owing to his influence, unless 19-ANC could not provide the required works, the staff of the contracts department automatically invited 19-ANC, on their understanding that this was Victor Wong's preference," court documents said.
The duo each faced more than 50 counts of corruption at the start of the trial but the charges have since been amalgamated.
Wong and Chia each pleaded guilty to three charges of corruption, with bribes amounting to more than $75,300.
The first charge was over a $13,500 discount on a Toyota Corolla Altis owned by 19-ANC and sold to Wong.
The second charge was for offences amalgamated over the payments to Wong's mistress which totalled $27,800.
The third charge covers entertainment expenses such as at KTV lounges and massage parlours, which amounted to over $34,000.
Two other charges - the free use of a mobile phone line which Chia gave Wong, and work he found for Wong's daughter-in-law - will be taken into consideration. These bribes amounted to more than $10,700. Chia also pleaded guilty to a charge each against his firms of conspiring to bribe Wong.
# Former AMK Town Council general manager jailed 27 months for bribery
He allowed himself to be cultivated by boss of two construction firms, who also received a jail sentence
By Tham Yuen-C, Senior Political Correspondent, The Straits Times, 21 Nov 2019
A former general manager of Ang Mo Kio Town Council (AMKTC) was yesterday sentenced to 27 months' jail for allowing himself to be cultivated by the boss of two construction firms, despite knowing it was wrong.
Wong Chee Meng, 59, also known as Victor Wong, received some $50,000 in bribes from Chia Sin Lan, 64, a director and shareholder of 19-ANC Enterprise and 19-NS2 Enterprise.
Chia, who was sentenced yesterday to 21 months in jail, had given Wong a discount on a car purchase, loaned him money to help his mistress, and also paid for visits to KTV lounges, restaurants, massage spas and a hotel, in hopes of advancing the interests of his companies.
The two firms were each fined $75,000.
Wong was also told to pay a penalty of $23,398.09, as disgorgement of his ill-gotten gains.
District Judge John Ng said: "Such a sentence is severe enough... to remind us... that 'absolute probity is demanded of all officers and employees of town councils'. The sentence also signals clearly our zero tolerance for corruption in general and corruption that undermines public administration in particular."
Wong was AMKTC's general manager from 2013 to 2016. He was employed by CPG Facilities Management, which was AMKTC's managing agent.
In September 2016, AMKTC received a complaint about the way he handled contracts. He was removed from duty a month later and was investigated by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau.
"Owing to his influence, unless 19-ANC could not provide the required works, the staff of the contracts department automatically invited 19-ANC, on their understanding that this was Victor Wong's preference," court documents said.
The duo each faced more than 50 counts of corruption at the start of the trial but the charges have since been amalgamated.
Wong and Chia each pleaded guilty to three charges of corruption, with bribes amounting to more than $75,300.
The first charge was over a $13,500 discount on a Toyota Corolla Altis owned by 19-ANC and sold to Wong.
The second charge was for offences amalgamated over the payments to Wong's mistress which totalled $27,800.
The third charge covers entertainment expenses such as at KTV lounges and massage parlours, which amounted to over $34,000.
Two other charges - the free use of a mobile phone line which Chia gave Wong, and work he found for Wong's daughter-in-law - will be taken into consideration. These bribes amounted to more than $10,700. Chia also pleaded guilty to a charge each against his firms of conspiring to bribe Wong.
# Former AMK Town Council general manager jailed 27 months for bribery
He allowed himself to be cultivated by boss of two construction firms, who also received a jail sentence
By Tham Yuen-C, Senior Political Correspondent, The Straits Times, 21 Nov 2019
A former general manager of Ang Mo Kio Town Council (AMKTC) was yesterday sentenced to 27 months' jail for allowing himself to be cultivated by the boss of two construction firms, despite knowing it was wrong.
Wong Chee Meng, 59, also known as Victor Wong, received some $50,000 in bribes from Chia Sin Lan, 64, a director and shareholder of 19-ANC Enterprise and 19-NS2 Enterprise.
Chia, who was sentenced yesterday to 21 months in jail, had given Wong a discount on a car purchase, loaned him money to help his mistress, and also paid for visits to KTV lounges, restaurants, massage spas and a hotel, in hopes of advancing the interests of his companies.
The two firms were each fined $75,000.
Wong was also told to pay a penalty of $23,398.09, as disgorgement of his ill-gotten gains.
District Judge John Ng said: "Such a sentence is severe enough... to remind us... that 'absolute probity is demanded of all officers and employees of town councils'. The sentence also signals clearly our zero tolerance for corruption in general and corruption that undermines public administration in particular."
Wong was AMKTC's general manager from 2013 to 2016. He was employed by CPG Facilities Management, which was AMKTC's managing agent.
In September 2016, AMKTC received a complaint about the way he handled contracts. He was removed from duty a month later and was investigated by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau.
Wong, in December 2014, first asked for a discount on a Toyota Corolla Altis that 19-ANC was looking to sell.
As the two men got closer, Wong asked Chia for loans - once in June 2015 to pay for renovations of his mistress' house in China, and again in November that year to help his mistress after she fell prey to an investment scam.
Between May 2015 and July 2016, Chia also entertained Wong on 29 occasions to the tune of about $7,000.
This was "a case of cultivation by the giver with mutual benefits in mind", said Judge Ng.
The most serious aspect of what Wong did was in receiving the benefits from Chia, knowing full well they were "laced with a corrupt intent", said the judge.
In doing so, he had allowed himself to become beholden to Chia.
Wong had even reminded his staff to stay corruption-free in their dealings with contractors, the judge said, but "instead of setting a positive example as their supervisor, he had acted hypocritically".
Chia, meanwhile, had shown clear premeditation in the way he went about cultivating Wong, said the judge. He also took steps to conceal his actions by transferring money to China via intermediaries.
Judge Ng said that while Wong was an employee of a private company, his role required that he exercise some of the powers of the town council, which is a statutory body. Thus, the public interest in preventing a loss of confidence in Singapore's public administration was a factor in sentencing.
But while the two men were guilty of corruption, their actions had not compromised several contracts worth $9,874,650 awarded to 19-ANC and 19-NS2 between 2014 and 2016, said the judge.
He noted that the two companies had won the contracts through open tenders and had also failed as often as other contractors in their bids for projects with AMKTC.
"There is no evidence to show that the protocols and processes set in place for the awarding of contracts by the town council were not intact," he said.
Wong and Chia, who chatted outside the court earlier, did not talk to each other after the sentencing. They had a few minutes with family members before being led away to the sounds of sobbing and someone crying out "Take care". Wong teared up, while Chia looked stonily ahead.
As the two men got closer, Wong asked Chia for loans - once in June 2015 to pay for renovations of his mistress' house in China, and again in November that year to help his mistress after she fell prey to an investment scam.
Between May 2015 and July 2016, Chia also entertained Wong on 29 occasions to the tune of about $7,000.
This was "a case of cultivation by the giver with mutual benefits in mind", said Judge Ng.
The most serious aspect of what Wong did was in receiving the benefits from Chia, knowing full well they were "laced with a corrupt intent", said the judge.
In doing so, he had allowed himself to become beholden to Chia.
Wong had even reminded his staff to stay corruption-free in their dealings with contractors, the judge said, but "instead of setting a positive example as their supervisor, he had acted hypocritically".
Chia, meanwhile, had shown clear premeditation in the way he went about cultivating Wong, said the judge. He also took steps to conceal his actions by transferring money to China via intermediaries.
Judge Ng said that while Wong was an employee of a private company, his role required that he exercise some of the powers of the town council, which is a statutory body. Thus, the public interest in preventing a loss of confidence in Singapore's public administration was a factor in sentencing.
But while the two men were guilty of corruption, their actions had not compromised several contracts worth $9,874,650 awarded to 19-ANC and 19-NS2 between 2014 and 2016, said the judge.
He noted that the two companies had won the contracts through open tenders and had also failed as often as other contractors in their bids for projects with AMKTC.
"There is no evidence to show that the protocols and processes set in place for the awarding of contracts by the town council were not intact," he said.
Wong and Chia, who chatted outside the court earlier, did not talk to each other after the sentencing. They had a few minutes with family members before being led away to the sounds of sobbing and someone crying out "Take care". Wong teared up, while Chia looked stonily ahead.
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