Ex-SingPost officer pressured courier firms to lend him money

A district court heard that as assistant manager of Singapore Post’s Sameday Courier Network for the eastern region, he had the power to penalise courier firms that failed to meet service standards in collecting and delivering parcels. He could also grant a monetary incentive of $300 to firms that performed well.

It was the fear of being in his bad books that made companies like D&W Express Services, United Post and Sky Venture Integrated agree to lend him money from 2007 to 2009.

He had asked for loans amounting to $11,350 from courier companies under his watch, and their employees did not dare to turn him down.

He did not try to repay these loans.

In February last year, the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau was tipped off about the misdeeds.

Phang Soo Chyi, 42, now a taxi driver, was yesterday fined $20,000 and ordered to pay a penalty of $8,350 for accepting gratification corruptly.

Phang could have been fined up to $100,000 and jailed up to five years on each charge.

ORIGINAL SOURCE