Ex-director in research department under Prime Minister’s Office charged with corruption
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SINGAPORE – A former director of the department that sets the national direction for research and development has been accused of taking a bribe in exchange for advancing the business interest of a company.
Henry Wong Chuen Yuen, who was the director of programmes and the central innovation cluster at the National Research Foundation (NRF), was charged on Friday with one count of corruption.
The 53-year-old was also a member of the project evaluation panel at the Built Environment Technology Alliance (Beta), which is under the Building and Construction Authority (BCA).
In response to queries from The Straits Times, a spokesman for the NRF said Wong relinquished his roles at the department in February 2022. The spokesman declined to comment further, citing the ongoing case.
A BCA spokesman said Wong is no longer a member of the Beta project evaluation panel, having relinquished his role in August 2021.
Between May and August 2021, Wong allegedly agreed to accept gratification in the form of a 30 per cent shareholding in Smart Illumination – a firm involved in the supply of smart technology, medical and healthcare solutions – from its director Lee Tze Boon.
This was purportedly a reward for advancing the company’s business interest in its application for grant funding from Beta.
Lee, 50, was also charged with one count of corruption on Friday.
The Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau said in a statement that the case was referred to it by the NRF.
The NRF was set up in 2006 as a department under the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). It sets the national direction for research and development by enacting policies, plans and strategies.
In court, the two men indicated that they would be engaging their own lawyers. They will return to court on July 13.
For corruption, Wong and Lee can each be fined up to $100,000, jailed up to five years, or both.
