Breaking News: Acquittal of Two Men in Graft Case Linked to Former LTA Deputy Group Director
In a stunning turn of events, a district judge has acquitted two individuals accused of graft-related offences linked to a former Land Transport Authority (LTA) deputy group director. The judge ruled that the statements taken by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) were deemed "inaccurate and unreliable", leading to the acquittal of the accused.
Details of the Case:
- Mr. Pay Teow Heng, 56, was accused of providing bribes to Henry Foo Yung Thye in the form of loans totaling $350,000 in 2017 and 2018. At that time, Mr. Pay was a director at construction firm Tiong Seng Contractors (TSC) and allegedly did so to further the business interests of TSC with LTA.
- Mr. Pek Lian Guan, 59, the managing director of TSC at the time, was accused of intentionally aiding Mr. Pay in giving the bribes. The prosecution highlighted that LTA had engaged TSC to construct an MRT station under a contract initially valued at $315 million, with Mr. Pay serving as Foo’s counterpart in the contract.
- Henry Foo Yung Thye, then 47, was previously sentenced to 5½ years in jail for accepting approximately $1.24 million in bribes in the form of loans from various contractors and subcontractors.
Judicial Findings and Controversy:
- District Judge Soh Tze Bian, in his verdict dated Oct 11, raised concerns about the conduct of CPIB officers during the investigation. Investigating officer (IO) Tan Kiat Tat, also known as IO Jeffrey, admitted to attempting to "frame" Mr. Pek in his initial statement, indicating a bias in the investigation process.
- Another CPIB officer, IO Chris Lim, was criticized for having a "blatant disregard for the truth" when recording Mr. Pay’s second CPIB statement, further undermining the credibility of the evidence presented.
Verdict and Implications:
- The judge ultimately ruled that the prosecution failed to prove its case against Mr. Pay and Mr. Pek beyond a reasonable doubt that the loans given to Foo were corruptly provided. The defence argued that Mr. Pay had genuinely intended to help Foo, who claimed he needed the money to settle his mother’s gambling debts.
- This acquittal sheds light on the importance of upholding the integrity of investigations and ensuring that evidence presented in court is reliable and accurate. The case serves as a reminder of the complexities and challenges in prosecuting corruption-related offences, emphasizing the need for thorough and impartial investigations.
In conclusion, the acquittal of the accused individuals in this high-profile graft case highlights the critical role of due process and the judicial system in upholding justice and fairness. The controversy surrounding the investigative practices of the CPIB underscores the significance of transparency and accountability in combating corruption and ensuring the credibility of legal proceedings.