Ex-Singapore Power staff charged with corruption

SINGAPORE — Four former Singapore Power (SP) technicians were charged in court today (Nov 26) with corruption, all allegedly involving the same construction company.

Muhamad Ridhuan Ramli, 33, faces one count of corruptly obtaining gratification of S$450 for “not creating difficulties” for China Construction South Pacific during an electrical board installation inspection last year. The inspection took place at 667A Punggol Drive. His colleagues Mohamad Suffiandi Mohamad Suhaimi, 30, and Mohd Kutty Hassan, 62, received S$200 and S$50, respectively on the same occasion.

All three were working at SP Powergrid then. The fourth former employee, Jasman Tiron, 55, was working at SP Services. He faces two counts of corruptly obtaining gratification of S$200 for “not creating difficulties” for China Construction South Pacific during two separate electrical board installation inspections. These took place at 55 Havelock Road and 780E Woodlands Crescent between 2011 and 2013.

The court documents did not say what the four allegedly promised in return for the payments. 

In a media statement, Singapore Power said it conducted an internal enquiry after receiving a complaint. It then referred the case to Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB).

Ridhuan, Suffiandi and Kutty were fired in September, while Jasman resigned in April, it added. “Singapore Power takes a serious view of any corrupt act and does not tolerate any employee conduct that is illegal or brings the company into disrepute,” the statement added.

Separately, CPIB reiterated that Singapore adopts a zero-tolerance approach towards corruption. “CPIB takes a serious view of any corrupt practices, and will not hesitate to take action against any party involved in such acts,” it said.

Ridhuan, Suffiandi and Jasman were unrepresented in court today. They indicated they will plead guilty. Their cases will be heard again on Dec 10. Kutty, who was represented by a lawyer, will be back in court for a pre-trial conference on Dec 21. All four are out on bail. If convicted, each of them could be jailed up to five years, fined a maximum of S$100,000, or both.