A longtime bribery scheme linked to the Singapore Zoo has landed a man in jail after years of profiting off corrupt practices.
According to The Straits Times, the scheme dates back to 2005 and was originally set in motion by Too’s father, Toh Siang Bee. It centered on Barry Chong Peng Wee, then director of facilities management at the Singapore Zoo, operated by Wildlife Reserves Singapore (now Mandai Wildlife Group).
Too acted as the middleman, delivering over SGD760,000 (about US$554,000) in bribes to Chong in exchange for awarding contracts to Shin Yong Construction. While Chong controlled the flow of contracts, Too and others also profited by inflating job costs and pocketing a portion of the excess funds.
Fraud Uncovered
The corruption came to light in 2016 after Singapore’s Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau launched a probe. Investigators discovered Shin Yong Construction received over SGD9 million (US$6.56 million) in work through the scheme, while four other companies secured jobs worth between SGD14,300 and SGD2.2 million.
The fraud cost WRS an estimated SGD1.4 million (US$1.02 million) due to inflated invoices. Chong reportedly coached Too on what bid amounts to submit to guarantee contract approval. Even after Chong stepped down from managing contract distribution in 2013, his influence continued through recommendations.
Too’s role involved transferring Chong’s expected cut to his brother, who delivered the bribe money weekly.
Too used part of his gains to finance trips to casinos and fund his gambling habit, although he did not disclose exact amounts.
Justice Served
Prosecutors pushed for a 24–30 month sentence, stressing the scheme’s damage to fair competition. Too reportedly received SGD10,000–SGD20,000 (US$7,290–$14,580) in commissions from other contractors for brokering deals with Chong.
The judge emphasized the seriousness of the offense, pointing out that Too was involved in at least 114 corrupt transactions totaling more than SGD700,000 (US$510,000). He rejected the defense’s claim that Too had no choice, noting that he could have walked away at any time but chose to continue profiting from the scheme.
Too Say Kiong now faces the consequences of a long-running corruption plot that not only enriched him but undermined integrity in public contract awards.
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