SINGAPORE: Liang An Wey, a former senior vice president at Singapore Post (SingPost), received a jail sentence of six months and one week on Thursday (16 Nov) for cheating and bribery charges.
The 47-year-old was found guilty of manipulating SingPost into paying him an inflated salary and attempting to secure a S$1 million (US$740,680) bribe from a subcontractor’s COO.
Liang, during his trial that commenced in January, denied both allegations. However, District Judge Kow Keng Siong found him guilty last month for deceiving SingPost into offering him a S$8,000 salary by falsifying his employment history.
Additionally, Liang attempted to solicit a bribe from Bintai Kindenko’s COO, Mr. Wong Siaw Fun, between March and June 2015.
SingPost dismissed Liang in April 2018.
The potential penalties for corruption include a maximum imprisonment term of up to five years and a fine of up to S$100,000. Meanwhile, for the offense of cheating, one could face imprisonment of up to 10 years in addition to a fine.
Liang allegedly misled SingPost, resulting in overpaid salary
In the trial’s closing arguments, the prosecution alleged that Liang misled SingPost about his work history, triggering the belief that he was a formal employee and resulting in an overpayment of S$8,000 upon his SingPost employment.
Per documents agreed upon by both sides, Liang’s CV submitted for the VP, Project Execution role stated his employment at GSM Holdings from August 2012, claiming a salary of S$12,500 plus a S$2,000 transport allowance.
However, Liang’s association with GSM, managed by his friend Gary Tan, was informal. He assisted Tan on occasion, primarily with a Senoko Loop factory project, without formal employment, salary, or provident fund contributions.
The trial disputed whether Liang accepted Tan’s offer of payment, with the prosecution contending he didn’t, contrary to Liang’s defense.
Liang asserted he didn’t intentionally mislead SingPost and had no fraudulent intent, stating he didn’t accept salary from GSM but helped discreetly while on a work hiatus.
Moreover, Mr Tan’s recollection during the trial was limited to Liang’s involvement in the Senoko Loop factory project, suggesting Liang’s contribution might have been confined to that specific endeavor.
During questioning, Liang admitted to not receiving any payment from GSM. He asserted that an employment history document submitted to SingPost was not authored by him and alleged it to be a “SingPost document.”
The prosecution rebutted Liang’s claim, deeming it implausible. They highlighted that the document contained personal details, including his family members’ occupations and criminal history, making it improbable for it to be solely a SingPost-generated document.
Deputy Public Prosecutors David Menon and Sapna Jhangiani contended, “We submit that the accused’s testimony on this matter is highly improbable, undermining his credibility.”
Deception and pressure tactics in Liang’s alleged attempt to obtain S$1 million bribe
The prosecution further contended that Liang employed deception, manipulation, and pressure tactics in his attempt to secure a S$1 million bribe, linking it to his role overseeing the SingPost Centre project’s redevelopment in 2015.
This project aimed to augment rental yields by modernizing infrastructure and expanding retail space.
Following SingPost’s invitation for project tenders on Mar 2, 2015, Liang discovered Bintai Kindenko’s interest in securing subcontracts through Shimizu Corporation, a primary tenderer for the project. Bintai was listed to handle specialized tasks like air-conditioning, electrical installation, and security systems.
Both sides agreed that discussions about a bribe occurred between Liang and Bintai’s COO, Mr. Wong Siaw Fun, yet debated whether Liang sought the bribe or if it was offered by Mr Wong.
Prosecutors presented text messages suggesting Liang initiated discussions by creating obstacles between Bintai and the subcontract, reinforcing this by insinuating Bintai’s unfavorable status and later suggesting the need for a bribe.
Meetings and further messages followed, indicating Liang’s groundwork to solicit a bribe from Mr Wong.
Eventually, the project was awarded to Shimizu, but the air-conditioning and mechanical ventilation subcontract went to another company, D-Team Engineering.
The prosecution highlighted Liang’s belief in securing the bribe and his authority to exclude subcontractors without higher approval, influencing their fate.
They stressed that Liang’s substantial influence over subcontractor selection was unchecked.