Former BCA inspection officer jailed 8 weeks for accepting S$600 bribe via payment to his private firm

• During a site inspection, Tan Ming Lie told a company that its safe management plan was lacking
• The 32-year-old had earlier informed the company’s general manager that he also worked at a safety consultancy
• The company engaged Tan to rectify the safe management plan for S$600

SINGAPORE — A former temporary inspection officer from the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) was jailed for eight weeks on Wednesday (Oct 6), after accepting a S$600 bribe from a construction firm in exchange for showing leniency during checks on a worksite.

Tan Ming Lie, 32, pleaded guilty to one count of corruptly obtaining a bribe. Another similar charge was taken into consideration during sentencing.

He was also ordered to pay a S$600 penalty, which he did not pay and will therefore serve another three days’ jail.

As a temporary inspection officer, Tan was responsible for checking on construction sites and dormitories to ensure that they adhere to regulations to prevent the spread of Covid-19. 

The court heard that on Nov 24 last year, he was assigned to inspect a construction site along Begonia Drive near Yio Chu Kang. The site was managed by construction firm Domain Trading and Construction.

During his conversation with the general manager of the firm through messaging platform WhatsApp, Tan sent a photo of his personal name card, which lists himself as a safety and sales manager of Angelshield Safety Consultant. 

Tan is the sole director and shareholder of Angelshield Safety Consultant. On its website, it is stated that the company provides quality, environmental, health and safety management consultancy services and is not related to BCA.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Stephanie Chew said that Tan “knew at all material times that it was a conflict of interest and impermissible for him to use his position as a BCA officer to solicit business for Angelshield”.

During the site inspection the next day, Tan told staff members of the construction firm that its safe management plan was lacking and insisted that it would not be possible to make the required rectifications by the 48-hour deadline.

Tan then spoke to the general manager over the phone and implied that Domain Trading and Construction might face penalties or be issued with a stop-work order.

Afraid that Tan would harshly report the non-compliance to BCA, the general manager asked Tan if Angelshield Safety Consultant was able to assist.

Tan then quoted the manager S$1,000 for drafting a proper safe management plan, which the manager negotiated down to S$600.

Tan provided Domain Trading and Construction with a plan a few days later and the firm sent him a S$600 cheque as payment.

By the time the firm submitted a rectification report on Dec 3, Tan had already been suspended by BCA in relation to another incident. 

When questioned by BCA, he lied that Angelshield Safety Consultant belonged to his wife.

Tan, who was not represented by a lawyer, told the court on Wednesday that he committed the offence “because of survival needs of my company”.

“I sincerely apologise for what action I have taken… I do agree that doing private practice was wrong at the time,” he said, adding that he has been jobless since investigation into this case began. 

Those convicted of corruption can be jailed for up to five years or fined up to S$100,000, or both.

The maximum jail term can be increased to seven years for each corruption offence if it is related to a matter or contract with the Government or public body, or a subcontract to perform work under such a contract.