SINGAPORE — A former investigation officer who carried out vape-related probes was charged on Wednesday (Dec 20) after he allegedly molested two women while handling their cases. He was also charged with trying to obtain sexual gratification from a third woman in exchange for leniency.

Zaini Ibrahim, 54, was handed 13 charges, comprising of a corruption charge, six charges for insult of modesty and six charges for outrage of modesty.

All of these were purportedly committed against three women who were being investigated on behalf of the Health Sciences Authority (HSA).

At the time of the offences, Zaini worked as an investigation officer at WSH Experts, an external contractor that has been carrying out these investigations since November 2021, the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) said in a statement.

Between March 29 and July 6 last year, Zaini allegedly used criminal force with the intent of outraging the modesty of two women on separate occasions at WSH Experts' office while recording statements from them.

These included touching their chest area, private parts and lower body without their consent.

On July 6 last year, he was said to have tried to get sexual gratification from one of the women in exchange for leniency in his investigation against her.

He was also alleged to have insulted the modesty of two of these three women on separate occasions between June 29 and July 14 last year by sending sexually suggestive WhatsApp messages to them and making sexual comments at his office.

During the hearing, Zaini told the court that he intends to plead guilty to all the charges but is awaiting legal assistance from the Public Defender's Office.

He also asked if the court could extend the gag order to him as well, meaning to not have him identified publicly like the women.

However, District Judge Brenda Tan rejected his request and stated that the gag order is only to be imposed on the victims' and not the accused person's identities.

In a response to TODAY's queries, a HSA spokesperson said that the agency takes a serious view of any wrongful conduct by its own officers as well as officers of outsourced vendors and will deal with them severely.

Zaini's services were terminated immediately following the internal investigation.

"As part of the established protocol, that is also made known to the outsourced service provider, the investigation officer must ensure that a female officer is present in the interview room at all times when a female subject is being interviewed," it said.

Following this incident, HSA said it worked with WSH Experts to adopt additional safeguards whereby the presence of a female administrative staff, when no female officer is available, is required in the room at all times when a male investigation officer is interviewing female subjects.

"HSA will continue to work closely with all our outsourced enforcement vendors to ensure that they adhere to high standards of professionalism when carrying out their duties," it added.

Zaini's case will be heard again on Jan 10, 2024.