Former Wildlife Reserves Singapore Official Implicated in Bribery Scandal

A former assistant director at Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS), Ng Thiam Huat, has been formally charged with multiple counts of corruption. The allegations stem from his time with the organization, where he purportedly accepted S$2,450 in bribes from an engineering firm. These illicit payments were allegedly made to advance the business interests of the said firm with WRS.

Ng, who previously held the position of assistant director of projects at WRS, is now facing a total of 10 charges under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

The Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) has been meticulously investigating the case, bringing to light the intricate details of the alleged scheme.

According to court documents, Ng Thiam Huat is accused of receiving S$2,450 from William Lum, the director of Lum Chung Engineering. The bribes were allegedly an inducement for Ng to favour Lum Chung Engineering in its dealings with Wildlife Reserves Singapore.

This includes a series of payments made between February 2018 and November 2019.

Further investigation revealed that Ng also allegedly obtained a S$3,000 loan from another individual in January 2019, which he later repaid in March of the same year. This separate incident adds another layer to the corruption probe.

In a significant development, both Ng Thiam Huat and William Lum have entered guilty pleas in connection with the charges.

For his involvement, Lum was sentenced to four weeks in jail and ordered to pay a penalty of S$2,450, equivalent to the amount he allegedly paid in bribes. Ng's case, however, is still ongoing, with legal proceedings continuing to unfold.

This case underscores the rigorous efforts by authorities to maintain integrity within organizations and holds individuals accountable for corrupt practices, ensuring a fair and transparent business environment.