Policeman accused of taking $35k in bribes

A policeman was charged yesterday with two counts of corruption involving $35,000, and other offences.

Staff Sergeant Woo Poh Liang, 28, is accused of obtaining a bribe of $25,000 in return for helping a man avoid prosecution for offences of insulting modesty. He also allegedly corruptly obtained another $10,000 from the man for the same purpose.

Woo faces another 11 charges of illegally buying 4-D and Toto tickets from Gordon Tan Zhi Liang. Woo was also charged with betting with a bookmaker on the results of the Fifa World Cup 2014. He allegedly acted as a runner for a bookmaker.

Bail of $30,000 was offered. A pre-trial conference is set for Oct 22. Woo, who joined the police force in June 2008, has been interdicted from service since January.

The maximum penalty for corruption is a $100,000 fine and five years' jail. If convicted of illegally buying public lottery, he could be fined up to $5,000 and jailed for up to six months.

ComChest raises record $64m

The Community Chest raised a record $64 million in the last financial year - 65 per cent more than in the previous year. The amount will be matched by the Government as part of the SG50 Care and Share initiative. It will benefit the 80 charities that the Community Chest supports.

New chancellor, head of trustees for UniSIM

SIM University (UniSIM) yesterday announced Dr Aline Wong as its chancellor, and Mr Richard Eu, chief executive of Chinese medicine firm Eu Yan Sang, was named chairman of the UniSIM board of trustees.

Both Dr Wong and Mr Eu took over from Mr Gerard Ee, who stepped down to pursue other interests, UniSIM said.

Dr Wong was an MP from 1984 to 2001 and has held posts such as Minister of State for Health and Education. She is now an adjunct professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy.