SINGAPORE, June 24 — More than 30 years after he jumped bail and fled the country, former PAP Member of Parliament and president of the National Trades Union Congress Phey Yew Kok was finally brought to justice today.
He appeared in court today to face the charges that were served on him in 1979.
On December 10, 1979, Phey was charged on four counts of criminal breach of trust involving a total sum of S$83,000 (RM232,400). He was also charged on two counts under the Trade Unions Act for investing S$18,000 of trade-union money in a private supermarket without the approval of the minister.
On January 7, 1980, Phey failed to turn up in court and a warrant of arrest was issued against him on the same day.
Phey surrendered himself at the Singapore Embassy in Bangkok on June 22, 2015, said the CPIB in a press release. He was accompanied back to Singapore yesterday. “Phey will be required to assist CPIB in further investigations in relation to other offences he may have committed,” said CPIB.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in response to media queries: “Phey Yew Kok was facing charges of Criminal Breach of Trust when he absconded while on bail in 1980. He has now turned himself in and returned to Singapore.
“He has been charged in court, and the law will have to take its course. This will bring closure to a long outstanding case involving a person who was holding public office as an MP and a senior union leader.”
Writing on Facebook, Lee stated: “We have maintained a clean and non-corrupt system in Singapore for half a century because we have zero tolerance for corruption. When we discover wrongdoing, we do not hesitate to act. We will not allow any cover up, even when it is awkward or embarrassing for the Government.”
The National Trades Union Congress said it noted that Phey “has surrendered himself to the authorities. We must now let the law take its course”. — TODAY
