Trio Charged for Corruption Offences in Relation to Sanitary Contracts

On 29 August 2024, the following three individuals were charged in Court for corruption offences:

a) Lee Chee Wan (“Lee”) (李志远, 54-year-old male, Singaporean), Director of Sanipro Marketing Pte Ltd (“Sanipro Marketing”) at the material time;

b) Low Sok Khim Cindy (“Low”) (刘淑琴, 48-year-old female, Singaporean), an employee of Sanipro Marketing at the material time; and

c) Thian Kai Chong (“Thian”) (程开忠, 55-year-old male, Singaporean), the Head of Sanitary Ware of Sanitus Building Supplies Pte Ltd (“Sanitus”) at the material time.

2. From July 2013 to August 2021, Lee was alleged to have corruptly given gratification to Thian and two Vietnamese agents of Lixil Inax Vietnam Corporation and American Standard Vietnam, amounting to about S$31,990, A$28,874 and US$500,993. The gratification were allegedly rewards for advancing the business interests of Sanipro Marketing with Sanitus, Lixil Inax Vietnam Corporation and American Standard Vietnam. Lee was aided by Low to corruptly give gratification to Thian and the two Vietnamese agents.

3. For corruptly giving gratification and abetting the corruption offences respectively, Lee and Low each face 14 charges, punishable under the Prevention of Corruption Act, of which 12 are amalgamated charges under Section 124(4) of the Criminal Procedure Code. For corruptly receiving gratification, Thian faces four charges, punishable under the Prevention of Corruption Act, of which three charges are amalgamated charges under Section 124(4) of the Criminal Procedure Code.

4. Singapore adopts a strict zero-tolerance approach towards corruption. Any person who is convicted of a corruption offence under the Prevention of Corruption Act can be fined up to S$100,000 or sentenced to imprisonment of up to five years or 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?