A man pled guilty to taking bribes in exchange for Singapore Zoo construction contracts. [Image: Shutterstock.com]

Zoo bribery

Too Say Kiong, an employee of Shin Yong Construction, pled guilty to ten bribery charges involving the Singapore Zoo. Too admitted to spending much of his S$10,000-20,000 (US$7,291-14,582) cut on gambling and casino holidays.

114 instances and bribes of around S$760,000 (US$554,443)

The 57-year-old Too received 26 months in prison for his part in the long-running bribery scheme that involved 114 instances and bribes of around S$760,000 (US$554,443).

Too worked with Barry Chong Peng Wee, the facilities manager at Singapore Zoo, to ensure that Shin Yong Construction received building contracts from the zoo’s parent company Wildlife Reserves Singapore.

$6.6m worth of contracts

Singapore’s Corrupt Practices Investigations Bureau claims that, as a result of these bribes, Shin Yong Construction received S$9m (US$6.6m) worth of contracts. The contracts were also given an inflated price tag.

Chong was the primary recipient of the bribe money, with Too taking a small cut as he acted as a middle man. Chong would review construction contracts and then inform Too of the price for contract approval.

Chong originally worked with Too’s father, before Too took over in 2005.