On 3 August 2022, Pai Keng Pheng, the ex-Managing Director of Sentek Marine and Trading Private Limited (“Sentek”), was charged in court with offences under the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act (“CDSA”).
Between August 2014 and January 2018, Sentek had allegedly acquired approximately 118,131 metric tonnes of marine gasoil, valued at about USD 56mil (SGD 77mil), which had been dishonestly misappropriated from Shell Eastern Petroleum Private Limited’s facility at Pulau Bukom and loaded onboard Sentek’s vessels. This was allegedly done with Pai Keng Pheng’s consent, while he was Managing Director.
Pai Keng Pheng had earlier been charged with 30 charges of corruptly giving gratification under Section 5(b)(i) of the Prevention of Corruption Act and 10 charges of obstructing the course of justice under Section 204A of the Penal Code. He now faces an additional 42 charges of consenting to Sentek’s acquisition of property representing another person’s benefits from criminal conduct, which charges are for offences under Section 47(3) read with Section 59(1)(a) of the CDSA, and punishable under Section 47(6)(a) of the CDSA.
Pai Keng Pheng also faces an additional charge of abetting the obstruction of the course of justice under Section 204A read with Section 109 of the Penal Code, for allegedly instigating one Pai Kheng Hian to instruct a witness to give false information to investigators.
An offence under Section 47(3) read with Section 59(1)(a) of the CDSA is punishable under Section 47(6)(a) of the CDSA, and carries an imprisonment term of up to 10 years, or a fine of up to $500,000, or both. An offence under Section 204A read with Section 109 of the Penal Code carries an imprisonment term of up to seven years, or fine, or both.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
03 August 2022 @ 8:40 PM