Overview of the Scandal

In a startling case that has sent ripples through Singapore’s educational and corporate sectors, Goh Jong Lih, a 61-year-old operations manager at St Anthony's Canossian Secondary School (SACSS), has been charged with multiple corruption offences.

She allegedly accepted bribes from Loo Wei Kiat, a 45-year-old company director of Advent Solutions & Projects (AS&P), on six different occasions.

Details of the Charges

According to the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB), Goh received bribes amounting to a staggering S$9,500 (approximately US$7,100) between February 2020 and December 2021.

These bribes were reportedly in the form of loans meant to further AS&P’s business dealings with the school, which specializes in providing electronic and display solutions.

Misleading Documents and Fraudulent Activities

The scandal deepens as it was disclosed that between 2017 and 2021, Loo presented misleading documents to Goh, which she then used to deceive SACSS.

Goh faces serious charges, including the use of fraudulent documents related to various school projects, such as the repolishing of marble floors in the school chapel, installation of a closed-circuit television system, and procurement of Samsung mobile phones.

Legal Consequences

Both defendants are facing multiple charges under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Goh has been charged with a total of 23 offences, including 17 under Section 6(c) of the Act, while Loo is facing 20 charges, some of which overlap with Goh’s allegations.

If convicted, they could face fines up to S$100,000, potential prison terms of up to five years, or both.

Defence and Court Proceedings

Goh’s lawyer, S S Dhillon, has requested time to fully understand the case and prepare her defence, while Loo appeared unrepresented in court and requested a month’s adjournment to engage legal counsel.

Government Stance on Corruption

The CPIB reiterated Singapore's uncompromising stance on corruption, highlighting ongoing efforts to maintain an integrity-driven environment in both public and private sectors.

This case serves as a stark reminder that corruption will not be tolerated, and those involved will face justice under the law.

Next Steps

Both individuals are scheduled to return to court on April 23, as the public and media eagerly await further developments in this significant scandal.

Stay tuned for updates on this evolving story!