A former police officer, Koh Kian Tiong, was charged in court on Apr. 29, 2024 with 14 counts of corruption after being missing from Singapore for 17 years.
The corruption offences involved obtaining or accepting bribes from a former syndicate leader, Chua Chin Hoe, who operated a chain of illegal gambling houses.
The offences allegedly took place from 2006 to 2007.
Koh was repatriated back to Singapore on Apr. 28, 2024, from China after he had finished serving a jail sentence there for separate criminal offences.
Alleged offences were related to favouring the syndicate leader in police matters
According to a press release by the Corruption Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB), Koh was an assistant superintendent of the police and was attached to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at the time of his alleged offences.
During several occasions between 2006 and 2007, Koh allegedly obtained a total of S$47,700 in bribes from Chua.
Koh also allegedly accepted an unspecified sum in the form of alcohol and entertainment from Chua during the same period.
These gratifications were allegedly obtained or accepted as inducements for showing favour to Chua in police-related matters.
Chua himself was sentenced in 2012 to four-and-a-half years in prison and fined S$20,000 for offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Common Gaming House Act.
Three other police officers in connection with Koh’s alleged offences were also charged and sentenced in 2010 for offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Overseas when CPIB launched investigation
CPIB added that Koh was overseas when it launched an investigation in 2007, and did not return to Singapore.
This was despite making a promise to do so, Lianhe Zaobao reported.
The court eventually issued a warrant for his arrest after he failed t0 respond to notices that had been posted at his door.
An Interpol Red Notice was also issued against him.
Lianhe Zaobao further reported that Koh's whereabouts remained unknown until 2019 when he was jailed in China.
The prosecution also applied for bail to not be granted to Koh, noting that he was a risk of absconding.
Police investigating Koh for criminal breach of trust and desertion
In response to Mothership's queries, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) replied that it is also investigating Koh for criminal breach of trust as a public servant and desertion, in addition to the investigation carried out by CPIB.
"The SPF also rendered full assistance to CPIB in the course of their investigations. We are unable to comment further as court proceedings are ongoing," the SPF added.
Top left photo via Interpol, right photo by Mothership