The assistant director of the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB), accused of 21 offences including criminal breach of trust as a public servant and forgery, has indicated he will plead guilty to the charges.

Edwin Yeo Seow Hiong, 39, is said to have misappropriated more than $1.7 million, intended to be used for buying goods required by his department, forged a receipt, and used the proceeds of crime.

The alleged offences took place between 2008 and September last year when he was head of the field research and technical support of the anti-graft agency. He is expected to plead guilty on Jan 21.

Before that, the defence and prosecution will go for mediation on Jan 6. The maximum penalty for criminal breach of trust as a servant is life imprisonment or 20 years' jail and fine. For forgery, the maximum penalty is four years' jail and a fine. If convicted of using benefits from criminal conduct, Yeo could be fined up to $500,000 and/or jailed for up to seven years on each charge.