14-8-2023 (SINGAPORE) In a startling revelation, a man has confessed to being part of a bribery conspiracy involving a vendor and a Singapore Airlines (SIA) employee. Rex Zhang Jiahao, aged 38, entered a guilty plea on Monday (Aug 14) for conspiring to receive gratification under the Prevention of Corruption Act. Although two more charges await consideration in his sentencing, the intricate details of the case have shed light on the elaborate scheme.
The court proceedings unveiled a narrative that revolves around Rex Zhang and his co-conspirator, Lionel Low Jun Jie, aged 36. The two acquaintances initially met during their National Service commitments. While Zhang worked as a freelance interior designer, Low occupied the position of an assistant manager in properties development at SIA. Within the realm of his responsibilities, Low managed occasional renovation projects for the airline.
As part of his role, Low facilitated the quotation or tender processes and was responsible for shortlisting potential contractors for interviews. This crucial stage culminated in his recommendation of the selected contractor for the project. During a reservist stint in 2018, Low found himself collaborating with Zhang, and the intricate plan began to take shape.
Low’s agenda entailed seeking building contractors for an SIA project involving the construction of a two-storey building designated for training classrooms. To manoeuvre this endeavor, Low approached Zhang with a proposition. He suggested that Zhang could discreetly inform the potential contractor about an SIA contact capable of ensuring a successful bid, withholding his own identity. The arrangement was that Zhang could then request a commission from the contractor.
Zhang consented to the proposition, sealing their agreement to equally divide the commission. He eventually located a suitable contractor, Joseph Ang Kok Leng, aged 51, who managed LIN ID and LIN Builders. Ang’s initial interest was tinged with uncertainty regarding whether he met SIA’s prerequisites for the project.
Herein lies the crux of the conspiracy. Zhang, armed with confidential project information acquired from Low, assisted Ang in preparing his bid documentation. This confidential data included SIA’s substantial budget of S$2.5 million for the classroom project, alongside anticipated timelines and milestones.
In a collaborative effort, Zhang reviewed Ang’s quotation before submission, consulting with Low to ensure its viability. With their plan set in motion, Ang offered Zhang a 5% commission based on the S$1.4 million contract amount. Ultimately, Ang’s company secured the project for approximately S$2.2 million, incorporating a construction fee of S$1.5 million and additional expenses.
Ang dispensed a “commission” of S$177,000 to Zhang for the aforementioned project. Subsequently, Zhang received an additional sum of about S$30,000 for facilitating a contract to supply furniture for the classrooms.
The entire scheme came to light when SIA progressively paid LIN ID for the project. Ang proceeded to give Zhang a total of S$207,535 as gratification across six separate instances in 2019. Abiding by their agreement, Zhang split this sum equally with Low.
Zhang later admitted that he and Low were wrong to solicit a commission from Ang in exchange for their assistance in securing the contracts. He cited financial concerns related to his upcoming wedding and the renovation of his new house as motivating factors behind their actions. The bribery proceeds were utilized for various purposes, including wedding expenses, holidays, living costs, and medical bills for his wife’s maternity.
Zhang is scheduled to return to court in September for the mitigation and sentencing phase. The cases involving Low and Ang remain pending as the intricate layers of this bribery conspiracy continue to unravel.
