SINGAPORE — Corruption charges against former Member of Parliament Choo Wee Khiang (picture) were dropped yesterday and, although he was granted a discharge amounting to an acquittal, he was given a stern warning.

The three graft charges related to allegations that he had accepted cash gratification of S$1,500 and US$600 (S$750) in 2005, while he was president of the Singapore Table Tennis Association (STTA).

These charges had been stood down when the 59-year-old was on trial for criminal breach of trust last year with former STTA manager Koh Li Ping for misappropriating S$8,400 to pay a coach, who moonlighted at Fuhua Secondary School between 2001 and 2003. Mr Choo was acquitted of the criminal breach of trust offence last July after a trial. Prosecutors’ appeal against the decision was dismissed by a High Court.

In a statement yesterday, the Attorney-General’s Chambers said the prosecution had considered the circumstances relating to the three remaining charges, including the availability of foreign witnesses.

“After careful consideration, the prosecution decided that a stern warning in lieu of prosecution would be appropriate with regard to these three charges and Mr Choo accepted the stern warning,” it said. CLAIRE HUANG