How Letter in CPIB Mailbox Exposed Corruption Case With 89 Bribe Recipients Linked to Waterproofing Firm

In 2012, an anonymous letter landed in the mailbox outside the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) headquarters in Lengkok Bahru.

- Samuel Devaraj

The writer claimed there was an established practice of corruption in a company in the waterproofing and general works industry.

Another letter arrived several months later with more information.

CPIB officers investigated the claims and unraveled a web involving 89 people, including managing agents, contractors, and property agents, who took money from the company documented in financial records as "referral fees".

This is one of the highest numbers of bribe recipients in a corruption case in Singapore, said CPIB.

At the center was the company's director, who adopted this practice so that the recipients would be motivated to recommend his company for future work orders.

Between January 2011 and February 2014, he offered bribes of about $461,600 to the 89 people.

The individual amounts ranged between $100 and $19,000.

In 2016, the then 43-year-old Singaporean director was sentenced to 30 months' jail after pleading guilty to 20 counts of corruption, with 517 other charges taken into consideration.

CPIB's deputy director at the enterprise projects office, Mr Phua Meng Geh, was then heading the investigation unit assigned to the case.

Speaking to The Sunday Times on June 25 at the CPIB headquarters, he said this case highlighted Singapore's intolerance against corruption, no matter the value of the bribe.

Mr Phua, who has been with the CPIB for 27 years, added: "I think there is this thinking with many people that a lot of these (business) practices are a way of life.