Former Police Officer Koh Kian Tiong Charged in Court for Corruption

On 29 April 2024, former police officer Koh Kian Tiong (“Koh”) (许建忠, 51-year-old male Singaporean) was charged in Court with corruption offences involving the obtaining or accepting of bribes from one Chua Chin Hoe (“Chua”), a former syndicate head who operated a chain of illegal gambling houses. At the material time, Koh was an Assistant Superintendent of Police, attached to the Criminal Investigation Department. Koh was overseas and did not return when CPIB conducted investigation in 2007. He was repatriated to Singapore on 28 April 2024 after having served a jail sentence for separate criminal offences committed in the People’s Republic of China.

2. Over several occasions between 2006 and 2007, Koh allegedly obtained a total of S$47,700 in bribes from Chua. In the same period, Koh also accepted an unspecified sum in the form of alcohol and entertainment from Chua. These gratifications were allegedly obtained or accepted as inducements for showing favour to Chua in police-related matters. For his alleged actions, Koh faced 14 charges for offences punishable under Section 6(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

3. Chua had been sentenced in 2012 to four-and-a-half years’ jail and fined S$20,000 for offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Common Gaming House Act. Three other police officers in connection with Koh’s alleged offences had also been charged and sentenced in 2010 for offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

4. Singapore adopts a strict zero-tolerance approach towards corruption. Any person who is 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 to both.

5. The Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) looks into all corruption-related complaints and reports, including anonymous ones, and can be reached via the following channels:

a) Lodge an e-Complaint;
b) Email us at report@cpib.gov.sg; 
c) Call the Duty Officer at 1800-376-0000; or
d) Write to us at the CPIB Headquarters @ 2 Lengkok Bahru, S159047.

6. Where possible, the report should include the following information:

a) Where, when and how did the alleged corrupt act happen?
b) Who was involved and what were their roles?
c) What was the bribe given and the favour shown?

Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau