Two ex-Keppel employees, steel company ex-manager charged with corruption

TWO ex-Keppel employees and an ex-employee of Corus South East Asia (Corus Sea) – which is in the business of marketing semifinished steel products – have been charged with corruption in a court hearing on Friday (Jan 6).

Both Tan Seng Cheh, 64, and Wong Kok Seng, 72, were employees of Keppel Fels at the time of offence. Tan was previously senior sub-contract manager and assistant general manager of the shipbuilding company, while Wong was a senior manager (group procurement) at the company.

Thong Chee Kong, 53, was then regional general manager of Corus Sea. In March 2008, Thong allegedly gave Keppel Fel’s Tan a quotation from competitor firm Blue Steel – which is also in the business of marketing semifinished steel products – that was not meant to be a genuine offer to purchase Keppel Fel’s scrap steel.

Tan later used the quotation in a bid analysis, allegedly to mislead Keppel Fels into selling scrap steel to Corus Sea.

Between 2007 and 2008, Thong allegedly paid for Tan’s trips to Japan and Italy. These amounted to more than S$50,000, with about S$12,500 paid in yen when Tan went to Japan.

In 2006, Thong also allegedly paid for Wong’s and his wife’s expenses for a trip to China, which amounted to S$5,850.

These were allegedly gratification that were corruptly given to them as an inducement for advancing the business interest of Corus Sea with Keppel Fels.

Thong left Singapore in 2008 and was arrested when he returned in 2022. He faces one charge over an offence punishable under Section 6(c) of the Prevention of Corruption Act and four charges over offences punishable under Section 6(b) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Wong faces one charge over an offence punishable under Section 6(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, while Tan faces one and three charges over offences punishable under section 6(c) and 6(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

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 A person 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.

The Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau advised companies in a statement on Thursday to put in place robust procedures in procurement and internal audit to prevent falling victim to corrupt acts by their employees.