SINGAPORE: A former director at the Singapore Zoo accepted bribes of more than , S$ 2.4 million ( US$ 1.8 million )  , in a scheme spanning more than a decade and involving at least eight companies.  ,
Barry Chong Peng Wee@Danial Chong, 57, admitted guilt on Tuesday ( 18 February ) to 19 corruption-related charges, including one involving the sale of real estate with his criminal proceeds.
On April 3, another 88 expenses of a similar nature may be taken into consideration for punishment.  ,
In the crimes involving Chong, 10 additional co-accusations from eight different businesses were listed. In exchange for receiving projects or positions from WRS, several employees from these businesses bribed Chong.  ,  ,
At the time of the crimes, Chong was the chairman of infrastructure control at the Singapore Zoological Gardens, a company of Wildlife Resources Singapore, which was renamed Mandai Wildlife Group in , 2021.
He was responsible for, among other things, maintaining the zoo’s grounds and obtaining requests for repair works.  ,
Up until 2013, when the task was given over to a purchasing group established for the same purpose, he had the authority to approve the granting of WRS jobs to contractors.  , The purchasing group relied heavily on Chong’s tips.  ,
The crooked program lasted from July 2005 to October 2016, with the exception of an investigation launched by the Corrupt Practices Investigations Bureau.  ,
By then, Chong had obtained no less than S$ 2, 437, 862 in enjoyment. He spent the amount on family cars, sound systems, meal expenses, a espresso machine and searching for luxury items.  ,
Chong purchased a metal Rolex Daytona view for S$ 15, 900 in October 2013 among these.  ,
THE SCHEME ,
The crooked plan began in 2005. Chong and two others, Toh Siang Bee and Too Say Kiong, made arrangements for Shin Yong Construction ( SYC ) to receive WRS jobs in exchange for money.  ,
SYC was founded by Toh Siang Bee, but he has since passed away. His sons Toh State Yong, 68, and Also, 57, were chairman and supervisor at the company both.  ,
After Toh Siang Bee died, Toh State Yong and Too continued the crooked design. Chong did send To the details of each job or project and offer him the bid price.  ,
To ensure that WRS may award the job to SYC, Toh State Yong or Also may request from different contractors to submit bids that were significantly higher.  ,
Chong do compile a written list of the jobs he had to do for his commission once the project or job was given to SYC. This sum would be delivered to Chong biweekly by Toh State Yong or To.  ,
In the late 2013 or early 2014, Chong and To made an offer to look for additional contractors to work on the corrupt scheme.
Two of the firms Katana Engineering and Thiam Lee Tradings Construction, who also started giving cash to Chong in letters, were roped in by them.  ,
Toh Yong Immediately, Toh State Yong’s son, who started working in SYC between 2010 and 2011, gradually took up the scheme. Toh Yong Immediately, a task manager, took over Too’s part in activities after the latter was removed from SYC due to a debate.  ,
Toh Yong Quickly after roped in firms Geoscapes, KKS Engineering, Ultron Construction, Hong Power Engineering, and KK Iron Engineering, which even paid committee to Chong.  ,
In accordance with this arrangement, Chong would call Toh Yong Quickly frequently to let him know when future projects or jobs the five businesses and SYC would bid for and what specific costs they should expect to pay for the project.
The various five businesses may be kept informed by Toh Yong Immediately. Chong even met Toh Yong Soon for breakfast at least once per month, where he would list the positions held by the company and specify the commission amount he wanted.  ,
Toh Yong Quickly would strengthen the funds from the businesses and pass it to Chong at least once a fortnight by acting as the intermediary.  ,