A former facilities engineer at the Institute of Microelectronics (IME) was charged yesterday with receiving more than $200,000 in kickbacks from three businessmen.
Yu Jiarong, 37, is accused of 17 counts of corruptly obtaining a total of $195,430 from Mr Ang Yew Heng and Mr Soh Kok Choy in return for advancing the business interests of their companies.
Mr Ang and Mr Soh are owners of Techfield Engineering and Techfield Solutions. Mr Soh also owns Yield Engineering Solutions.
Yu allegedly received sums ranging from $2,250 to $49,700 at the IME - which comes under the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*Star) - from the duo between April 2012 and November 2013. He is also accused of corruptly receiving $7,000 from Mr Soh and Mr Wang Shujun in return for advancing the business interests of Contech Engineering with the IME on Dec 13, 2011. Mr Wang is the boss of Contech.
The prosecution told the court that more charges are pending against Yu. Yu asked that the case be expedited as investigations have been ongoing for two years.
The case is fixed for further mention on Dec 30.
Bail of $200,000 was offered. Yu's passport has been impounded.
In a statement yesterday, the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau said Singapore adopts a zero tolerance approach towards corruption. It takes a serious view of any corrupt practice and will not hesitate to take action against any party involved in such acts.
The maximum punishment for corruption is a $100,000 fine and a five-year jail term.
Elena Chong
