SINGAPORE - The Housing Board officer who was fined for giving confidential information to a Straits Times journalist will be redeployed to a new role within the agency so that he can "start afresh".
In a statement on Friday (Feb 9), the HDB said Mr Ng Han Yuan, 25 - formerly an estate manager in the resale operation section - has also been issued a "stern reprimand which will impede his eligibility for salary increment, bonus and consideration of progression for a stipulated period of time".
Ng, who was suspended while the case was being investigated, will resume work on Feb 19.
The agency did not say what new role he will be redeployed to or for how long his progress will be impeded.
Noting that it takes a "serious view of any unauthorised disclosure of information," the HDB said it took disciplinary action against Mr Ng for breaching the Official Secrets Act.
Mr Ng was fined $2,000 last December, after he gave ST journalist Janice Tai Jia Ling information about a new HDB website between May 31 and July 16 last year.
The portal aimed to cut HDB flat resale transaction time from 16 weeks to eight and reduce the number of face-to-face appointments from two to one. The details had not been made public at the time.
He also shared that there would be changes to the valuation process.
The portal was announced on Oct 19 and launched on Jan 1 this year.
The police issued a stern warning to Ms Tai last November for approaching several parties with inquiries relating to the confidential information that she received.
