Executive director of heritage group My Community arrested for suspected forgery

SINGAPORE – The founder and executive director of My Community Limited, Mr Kwek Li Yong, has been arrested for suspected forgery, The Straits Times has learnt.

In a statement to ST on Oct 4, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) said a report was lodged and the executive director of My Community Limited was arrested on Sept 25 for his suspected involvement in forgery offences.

Investigations are ongoing, said the police, who did not give further details on the case, or the nature of the report lodged.

Mr Kwek is on police bail, which is offered to people who are arrested but not charged in court.

Separately, the Central Provident Fund Board told ST that former employees of My Community Limited have filed claims against the company for CPF contributions owed to them.

“We have taken prosecution actions against the company and the case is now before the courts,” said the board.

“Through our enforcement efforts, we recovered a portion of the CPF arrears from the company and will continue to follow up with the company to recover the remaining arrears.”

It did not elaborate on the sums allegedly owed, or the amount that has been recovered.

When contacted, Mr Kwek said on Oct 6 that his discussions with the CPF Board and SPF “are preliminary discussions which have not produced any tangible conclusion”. “We are working with the parties on the respective matters,” he added.

My Community Limited, a company limited by guarantee, was registered on Jan 3, 2020.

The company, which was registered as a charity on May 8, 2020, is linked to My Community – a heritage organisation that was registered as a society on Aug 26, 2010.

The organisation is known for free guided tours that it runs in areas such as Queenstown, Clementi and Telok Blangah.

It has since 2020 run the annual My Community Festival, which comprises a series of heritage programmes and tours.

My Community Limited provides arts and heritage-related research and consultancy services, and exhibition and museum design services, among other things.

In 2025, it was awarded contracts to set up heritage galleries in at least three secondary schools and the Accountant-General’s Department.

The latest completion date for these four projects – which were awarded between May and July – is in November, based on procurement documents.

The Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Education told The Straits Times in separate statements on Oct 8 that they are aware of ongoing investigations into My Community Limited.

A spokesperson from the Finance Ministry said that the Accountant-General’s Department is assessing the impact of investigations on My Community Limited’s ability to deliver on its contractual obligations.

The Education Ministry said it is also supporting the schools to assess this impact.

In the latest publicly available annual report dated 2022, My Community stated that it would complete its transition to a company limited by guarantee by the end of the next financial year.

It said the new entity “will retain our charitable mission and remain as a non-profit organisation”, adding that the organisation’s activities are financially sustainable.

“In 2021 and 2022, our charitable initiatives were self-sustaining and did not require additional grants or donations from members of the public,” said the 2022 annual report.

Checks on the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth’s Charity Portal show that My Community Limited held IPC (Institution of a Public Character) status from June 1, 2022, to May 31, 2023.

IPCs are able to issue tax deduction receipts to donors for qualifying donations made.