Former table tennis president who's also ex-MP, charged with corruption

The Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) said in a statement that it received several anonymous complaints against Choo Wee Khiang, 57, who was the president of STTA at the time of the alleged offences, stating that he had charged his personal airfares, expenses and phone bills to the Association.

Choo had also received gifts from Chinese coaches and players.

In 2005, Choo received $1,500 from a former assistant coach of STTA, Mr Luo Jie, on behalf of Mr Liu Zhongze, who was a national team player at that time. The money was given to Choo in exchange for giving Liu more opportunities to represent STTA in table tennis tournaments.

Between 2003 and 2004, Choo also received US$600 (S$768.95) on two occasions from Mr Shi Mei Sheng, a former STTA coach, as a reward for approving the use of training facilities in China.

Choo resigned from the STTA in July 2008. He had been with the Association for 20 years.

Choo will be charged for three counts of corruptly accepting gratification and one count of criminal breach of trust.

The maximum punishment for corruption is a $100,000 fine and five years' jail on each charge.

In 1999, Choo, a former MP for Jalan Besar GRC served a two-week sentence for issuing false invoices to help a family friend cheat a finance company.

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