Ex-Wildlife Reserves S'pore manager, 53, solicited S$200,000 in bribes to steer contracts, gets 2 years 5 months' jail

A former Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS) employee was sentenced to two years and five months' jail for receiving over S$200,000 in bribes from various contractors seeking business with the organisation.

Goh Meng Kwee, 53, pleaded guilty to multiple counts of corruption on May 25, with the offences occurring between June 2014 and May 2018, The Straits Times reported.

He was also ordered to pay a S$180,000 penalty, and faces an additional 18 weeks in jail should he fail to do so.

WRS, now known as Mandai Wildlife Group, oversees animal-related attractions including the Singapore Zoo and River Wonders.

What happened

According to court documents seen by Mothership, at the time of the offences, Goh was a senior project manager in WRS' exhibit design department.

His role gave him significant influence over vendor selection, as his recommendations on which contractors to engage carried considerable weight with the procurement department.

Goh was said to have exploited this position by soliciting payments from contractors in exchange for steering projects their way.

In 2016, Goh approached Neo Chye Koon and Wong Chee Thiam, who were then directors at stainless steel fabrication firm Magnum Precision Industries, and offered to invite their company to tender for projects at the Singapore Zoo, as well as guide them through the process, such as how to meet the budget.

In exchange, he asked them for S$50,000 for his "consultation services" and as an "entrance" to these projects.

The pair agreed, feeling they had little chance of securing higher-value contracts with WRS otherwise.

Between April and December 2017, Magnum was awarded three projects totalling more than S$440,000 — work it had not previously been able to secure at comparable value.

Goh also received more than S$70,000 from Ng Thiam Huat, then a director at United Channel Construction & Facility Services, who subsequently secured multiple projects worth over S$420,000, ST reported.

Neo and Wong, both 54 at the time of the offences, were each sentenced to seven months' jail in October 2023.

Similarly, Ng received a 10-month jail term in April 2023.

Other related offences

In a separate case, Goh was also found guilty of a graft charge involving a further S$50,000, ST reported.

This case involved Tay Chun Hsiong, 49, and Fang Yih Uei, 38.

On Monday, Tay was sentenced to seven months’ jail, and Fang, to six months, after both were convicted in connection with that case.

The pair, who are appealing their convictions and sentences, had passed the money to Goh as a reward for recommending Tay's company, Lantro, to secure a project through Pico Art International.

In March 2026, Goh was separately sentenced to five months' jail and a S$20,000 penalty after being convicted of receiving a S$20,000 bribe from one Ng Yeow Seng, 63, who was fined S$60,000.

The prosecution has said it intends to appeal against Ng Yeow Seng's sentence.

Following Goh's convictions, another seven charges were considered during his sentencing.

His sentences will run consecutively.

He is expected to begin serving his total sentence of two years and five months on Jun. 22, with bail set at S$200,000.