SINGAPORE – Former River Valley High School (RVHS) principal Koh Yong Chiah, 61, who lied about an extramarital affair with a vendor to whom he awarded millions of dollars in school contracts, started serving his four-week jail term on Friday (Nov 18) after losing his appeal against sentence.

A High Court panel of three judges found that the case justifies a custodial term as “appreciable harm” was caused by Koh’s offence even though there is no finding of actual corruption or misuse of public funds.

“By concealing his affair with Ivy, a school vendor, and passively maintaining the falsehood, the appellant was allowed to undermine the integrity of the procurement process and confidence in the public service, especially since the conflict of interest went undetected for a long period of time,”Judge of Appeal Chao Hick Tin said, delivering the judgment.

The court, which also comprised Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon and Judicial Commissioner See Kee Oon, noted that Koh did not retract his false statement, in effect continuously asserting the falsehood.

Koh had admitted giving false information to Ms Chia Ban Tin, an officer from the Ministry of Education (MOE) on Nov 24, 2005, that he was not having an affair with the vendor, Ms Ivy Loke Wai Lin.

Koh was then principal of Jurong Junior College (JJC). He later became head of RVHS in 2009.

Koh and Ms Loke, now 55, met in 2000 while he was the principal of Chinese High School (CHS). Their first sexual encounter was during a CHS community service trip to Lijiang, China, in 2001. Both were married.

Between May and November 2005, in his capacity as the final approving authority for contracts at JJC, Koh awarded six contracts worth $162,491 to Ms Loke’s firm, Education Architects 21 (EA 21).

He did not disclose the nature of his relationship with Ms Loke to the quotation approval panel.

Between 2005 and 2012, he approved $3.4 million worth of contracts to EA 21 and EI, another of Ms Loke’s firms.

When he was queried by Ms Chia about an anonymous complaint of misconduct, Koh denied the affair.

Koh was dismissed from the public service with effect from Sept 14.

This article was first published on Nov 18, 2016.
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SINGAPORE – There is a new train operator in town, but instead of operating trains, it will be opening a cafe at the ground level of Tanjong Pagar Centre, and it’s also where you can buy Japan rail tickets.

Called Japan Rail Cafe, the first overseas venture by Japanese train operator East Japan Railway (JR East) will accept its first ‘passengers’ on Dec 4, the company announced in a statement today.

Rail passes from other Japan railway companies (JR Kyushu, JR West, JR Shikoku, JR Central and JR Hokkaido) can also be purchased at the cafe.

Items on the menu include Kaisen Avocado Don (seafood avocado rice bowl), rice bowls, and the Ultimate A.B.C burger from Japanese fast food chain Becker’s.

Made up of a 160g wagyu beef patty, avocado, bacon, cheddar cheese, and buns from Asanoya Bakery, the Ultimate A.B.C burger is one of the signature dishes on offer at the cafe.

A special menu will also be launched monthly featuring dishes from the month’s featured region, JR East added.

Staff from JR East will also be stationed at the cafe to recommend destinations around Japan for customers planning for their upcoming trips.

Customers can also participate in workshops jointly organised by JR East and the Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO), local governments in Japan, and Japanese corporations.

“Through regular activities such as scrapbooking and other interactive workshops, we aim to promote more interest in the less well-known sightseeing regions for adventurous Singaporeans who actively plan their itineraries, even few months prior to their trips”, said Makoto Yamataka, general manager of Japan Rail Cafe, Singapore.

There is also a retail section at the cafe that will carry rotational items from the monthly featured region. A selection of trendy items from Japan will also be available at the store.

“We hope to build a community in Singapore for Japan lovers to have a two-way communication with us while deepening their interest and understanding of Japanese culture,” Mr Yamataka added.

“I believe by knowing more about other less explored regions, Singaporeans would find more excitement in travelling further beyond the familiar areas such as Tokyo, Kyoto or Osaka.”

grongloh@sph.com.sg

SINGAPORE – The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has urged the public not to buy or consume a weight-loss product sold online called ‘VIP Bio Mangosteen Complex’.

In a statement on Friday (Nov 18), HSA said the product contains very high levels of a prohibited substance, sibutramine, and an undeclared ingredient, phenolphthalein.

‘VIP Bio Mangosteen Complex’ is labelled to contain only natural ingredients, including fruit and herbal extracts. It also claims to deliver “immediate changes after around 7 days and significant results in 21 days”.

HSA’s findings revealed that the product is sold on several websites and social media platforms carrying testimonials of its weight loss effects.

Sibutramine is a weight loss drug that has been banned from sale in Singapore since 2010. The high levels of sibutramine detected in ‘VIP Bio Mangosteen Complex’ could make it “very toxic and cause adverse effects such as heart attacks and seizures”, HSA added.

Phenolphthalein was used as a laxative in the past, but has not been registered in Singapore since 2011. Phenolphthalein may cause rashes, abdominal cramps, breathing difficulties and kidney disorders.

The agency said that it has not received any severe reports associated with ‘VIP Bio Mangosteen Complex’ locally.

HSA has some advice for members of the public:

1. Stop taking ‘VIP Bio Mangosteen Complex’ immediately and consult a doctor if you feel unwell.

2. Be wary of health products that promise quick and miraculous weight loss, or carry exaggerated claims like “guaranteed results” or “scientifically proven”. Such products may contain prescription medicines which should only be taken under medical supervision.

3. Do not trust online product reviews as these testimonials usually cannot be verified.

4. Exercise caution when buying health products online. Anyone can be a seller on these e-commerce platforms. Products sold online could also potentially be counterfeits or adulterated with undeclared potent ingredients.

Sellers should also stop selling ‘VIP Bio Mangosteen Complex’ immediately as anyone convicted of selling illegal health products may be liable for prosecution under the Health Products Act, Poisons Act and/or Medicines Act.

Offenders can face a maximum fine of up to $100,000 and/or imprisonment for a period of up to three years.

HSA encourages the public to visit www.healthdangers.sg to learn more about the dangers of buying illegal health products from dubious sources.

Members of the public who have any information on ‘VIP Bio Mangosteen Complex’ or other illegal products can contact HSA at hsa_is@hsa.gov.sg.

stephluo@sph.com.sg

National Kidney Foundation (NKF) donors who spoke to The Straits Times yesterday shared the same message: They will continue to support one of Singapore’s largest charities.

Housewife Jenny Wong, 56, has been a regular donor since 2010.

When news broke on Wednesday that NKF had sacked its chief executive officer Edmund Kwok, she was shocked. “It is a shame,” she said.

But Mrs Wong’s confidence in the charity and the work it does remains as strong as ever.

“The patients still need our help,” she said. “Plus, there is assurance that money was not misused. As long as it goes towards helping patients, I will continue to donate.”

Donors told The Straits Times that the charity’s 4,000 patients should not have to pay the price for Mr Kwok’s inappropriate behaviour.

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2016-11-17 11:06:17

Photo Gallery

NKF sacks CEO Edmund Kwok over ‘personal indiscretion’

Source:

The Straits Times

Berita Harian

Shin Min Daily News

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This comes after Mr Kwok was sacked on Monday, after committing what the NKF described as a “reportable offence” against a male colleague.

Madam Christina Lim, who has donated to the charity almost every year for more than a decade, said: “It is one man’s problem, and it has nothing to do with the patients.”

The 57-year-old clerk added: “I will still donate. It is not a lot, but it goes a long way towards helping the patients.”

Last year, NKF spent $100 million helping 4,000 patients. By 2020, given the rising number of kidney failure patients, it will need $200 million a year.

According to NKF’s website, the charity received about $22 million in cash donations in its last financial year, which ended in June.

A long-time donor, who wanted to be known only as Mr Ong, said the recent episode does not affect his trust in the charity. “I am assured that there are tighter controls on how the money is spent since the T.T. Durai incident.”

In 2005, the spotlight was put on the way funds were used under Mr Durai, who was then chief executive. The foundation pulled the plug on large-scale public fund-raising events after that.

But the NKF has since restructured after the scandal, with better corporate governance.

Retiree Peggy Goh, 59, said the organisation has regained the confidence of donors over the years, by increasing transparency on how donations are allocated, for instance.

Recognising how every cent is spent helps, she said. “Kidney dialysis patients often have to pay a lot and it is very draining for them.”

This article was first published on Nov 18, 2016.
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