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Straits Times
6 hours ago
- Straits Times
Prosecution says judge who acquitted duo of bribing ex-LTA official had copied defence arguments
Find out what's new on ST website and app. SINGAPORE – A former district judge who acquitted two men of corruption in a case involving a former Land Transport Authority (LTA) official was accused by the prosecution of copying from the defence's submissions and failing to consider all the evidence. The prosecution made the allegations on July 22 during an appeal to Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon to reconsider the case afresh. However, the defence argued that the district judge had applied his mind in deciding to acquit Mr Pay Teow Heng, 56, and Mr Pek Lian Guan, 59. Chief Justice Menon will give his decision at a later date. Mr Pay, a director at construction firm Tiong Seng Contractors, was accused of giving bribes in the form of loans totalling $350,000 to LTA deputy group director Henry Foo Yung Thye in 2017 and 2018. Mr Pek, the managing director of the firm, was accused of intentionally aiding Mr Pay in giving the bribes to Foo. In October 2024, the two men were cleared by then District Judge Soh Tze Bian, who found that the incriminating statements the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) had recorded from them were 'inaccurate and unreliable'. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Singaporeans aged 21 to 59 can claim $600 SG60 vouchers from July 22 Singapore Singaporeans continue to hold world's most powerful passport in latest ranking Singapore Miscalculation of MOH subsidies and grants led to $7m in overpayments, $2m in shortfalls Asia Malaysian aide's unresolved 2009 death tests govt's reform pledge despite DAP chief's apology Singapore Woman evacuated from lift in Supreme Court building after falling glass triggers emergency halt Singapore 2 charged over alleged role in posting bail for man who later absconded Business Chat with experts on brand media coverage at the latest Conversations with ST Singapore Ports and planes: The 2 Singapore firms helping to keep the world moving Mr Soh, who was appointed a district judge on Aug 1, 2008, retired from the Singapore Judicial Service on Jan 17. In the past two years, the quality of his work has been criticised twice by two Supreme Court judges. In September 2023, Chief Justice Menon said Mr Soh's conduct in reproducing large chunks of the prosecution's written submissions in his grounds of decision with minimal changes was 'wholly unsatisfactory as a matter of judicial practice'. In December 2024, Mr Soh's use of substantial portions of the prosecution's submissions without his own analysis was flagged by Justice Aidan Xu as a serious concern. In the current case, the prosecution contended that Mr Soh had adopted the defence's written submissions as his own findings and failed to properly evaluate the conflicting evidence concerning the CPIB statements. On July 22, Deputy Public Prosecutor Alan Loh argued that the judge had failed to 'exercise his mind on the facts and circumstances of the case before him'. The prosecutor highlighted instances where the judge had adopted the pejorative language from Mr Pay's closing submissions. This includes describing a CPIB investigation officer as 'mischievous and conveniently selective' when recording Mr Pay's statements. Mr Loh also listed examples to show that the judge had replicated the assertions made in the defence's closing submissions with minor stylistic changes. Mr Pek's lawyer, Senior Counsel Cavinder Bull, argued that the prosecution's analysis of the wording of a selected number of paragraphs was too simplistic. Highlighting examples where the judge had given his own analysis, Mr Bull said the judge had independently considered the evidence. He noted that Mr Soh had identified three issues on his own and re-organised the points made by the defence. Mr Bull stressed that in criminal cases, it was entirely inappropriate to resolve any doubt in favour of the prosecution. Mr Pay's lawyer, Senior Counsel Tan Chee Meng, said it was unfair for the prosecution to contend that the judge did not consider its arguments. Mr Tan said his closing submissions contained more than 60 pages criticising the credibility of the investigation officer, but the prosecution had 'all of two pages' in reply. He argued that the judge gave the prosecution a chance to rebut the defence's points during oral submissions, but the specific concerns were not addressed. Mr Tan said the judge was entitled to accept the defence's argument because no contrary explanation from the prosecution was forthcoming. In September 2021, Foo, then 47, was sentenced to 5½ years' jail for taking about $1.24 million in bribes in the form of loans from several contractors and subcontractors. Foo first joined LTA in 1999. He was the deputy group director of the Thomson-East Coast and Cross Island lines from July 2017 to his resignation in September 2019. The prosecution said that LTA had engaged Tiong Seng to construct an MRT station under a contract initially valued at $315 million. The prosecution said Foo had called Mr Pay to borrow money on the pretext of needing to repay his mother's gambling debts to banks and loan sharks. The prosecution said Mr Pay did not have enough money at the time, so he approached Mr Pek for help. In his defence, Mr Pay said he gave the loan to help Foo as they were friends who met socially, and that he had no corrupt intent in lending money to Foo. Similarly, Mr Pek testified that he did not lend money to Foo with the intention of benefiting the company.
Straits Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Malaysia's export-oriented businesses fret as deadline for US tariff deal draws near
– As Malaysian trade negotiators race against the clock to seal a deal that could reduce the 25 per cent Trump administration tariffs before the Aug 1 deadline, the business community, especially those in export-oriented sectors, continues to grapple with uncertainty of the American levies . Given the economy is heavily reliant on exports – with export figures at RM1.5 trillion (S$460 million) in 2024 – local manufacturers such as those in the electrical and electronic and furniture sectors are particularly worried about US President Donald Trump's threat to impose higher tariffs on 'transshipped goods'. This is the Trump administration's attempt to curb the practice of rerouting Chinese products through a third country before they are exported to the US in order to disguise their true origin and evade US duties. This common practice is legal in global supply chains under regulations issued by individual countries. But it can and has been abused to evade duties. Washington had earlier said it would impose an unspecified additional levy on transshipment goods via Malaysia . It has not yet defined what percentage of Chinese inputs would classify goods as transshipment. The threat of US enforcement actions that target China-based supply chains will weigh down the competitiveness of Malaysia's exports as the country is a regional manufacturing hub and is deeply integrated with Chinese intermediate goods, said Mr Soh Thian Lai, president of the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturing. An intermediate good is a product (for example, steel) used in the production of a finished or final good (a stainless steel wok) . Although there are no available figures for intermediate goods imported from China, Malaysia recorded imports of intermediate goods totalling RM748.9 billion in 2024, representing a 74 per cent increase since 2020. Separately, Malaysia imported RM296.5 billion worth of goods from China in 2024 , a 72 per cent increase from 2020. Tan Sri Soh said that in recent years, global supply chains have shifted or expanded out of China. This has made the regional value chains all the more complex, and will make decoupling from China difficult. Mr Soh said Malaysian manufacturers in sectors such as electronics, medical devices and engineered parts, who are locked into long-term contracts and operate on tight margins, will be especially hurt by the upcoming 25 per cent tariff imposed by the US. Malaysia's electrical and electronic sector is also heavily reliant on sourcing silicon from China. But Mr Keat Yap of global management consultancy Kearney is of the belief that these Malaysia-made goods should not be categorised as transshipment products. In 2024, China accounted for 80 per cent of global silico n production. 'Even if the silicon comes from China, it cannot function as a chip unless it is diced into pieces, assembled with electrical connectivity, encapsulated for protection against elements, and then tested... In reality, there is no transshipment but significant value additions in Malaysia,' Mr Yap told ST. Malaysia ships a significant portion of its electrical and electronic sector products to the US. In 2024, such goods, including semiconductor and telecommunication equipment, made up 60 per cent of its exports to the US and were valued at RM119.86 billion. To address Washington's concerns regarding transshipments and increasing scrutiny over allegedly fraudulent origin claims of Malaysian products , the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (Miti) in May revoked the authority of other organisations like local business councils, chambers or association , to issue non-preferential certificates of origin (NPCOs) for US-bound cargo. Industry sources whom ST spoke to in May , said there have been cases of Chinese manufacturers using Malaysia as a transshipment hub, allegedly going as far as to falsify certificates of origin in an effort to bypass US tariffs. The ministry is now the sole body authorised to issue NPCOs. These documents are used to certify the origin of goods for international shipments, helping to fulfil customs or trade requirements in the destination country. Muar Furniture Association chairman Steve Ong welcomed Miti's stricter move on NPCOs, saying that it would protect Malaysia's wooden furniture export industry, which is valued at RM9.89 billion in 2024 , half of which was shipped to the US. 'It's now harder for exporters to obtain fake certificates of origin for transshipment,' he told ST. 'However, Malaysia still faces higher tariffs compared with neighbours like Indonesia, which enjoys a 19 per cent rate, so there's a risk transshipment could shift there instead.' Miti on July 14 also tightened the oversight of the movement high-end chips from the US by imposing a strategic trade permit requirement, a move analysts say is part of the government's negotiation tactic to lower the tariff rate. Regionally, the US levied a tariff of 36 per cent against Thailand's exports , and 20 per cent against the Philippines, and 10 per cent on Singapore in a July 18 announcement. Vietnam secured a deal for a 20 per cent tariff rate and 40 per cent rate on goods deemed to be transshipped. Earlier in May, the US Department of Justice's (DoJ) criminal division issued a memo detailing the ' threats to the US economy' where it listed 'tariff evasion ' as a priority area it must tackle as part of combatting white-collar crime. Washington later in June reached a trade deal with China , which saw duties on Chinese goods cut to around 55 per cent – down sharply from a previous 145 per cent. AmBank Group Chief Economist Mr Firdaos Rosli said that comparing tariff rates between countries should not be the main focus for Malaysia , given the broader uncertainty posed by Mr Trump's trade policies. ' Although the US is a major global consumer market, the world is bigger ... Perhaps we should focus more on trading among ourselves rather than relying so heavily on a single nation,' he said. A former US DOJ prosecutor turned consultant Mr Artie McConnell said the lack of a common definition and the high burden of proof by prosecution to show that transshipping has occurred could hinder Mr Trump's efforts to criminalise the practice . 'When you have, say, a chemical mixture or a high-end electronic item, and there's no precedent under the (World Trade Organisation's) Harmonised Tariff Schedule (HTS), classifying the item can be very difficult,' Mr McConnell, now a partner at US lawfirm BakerHostetler told a forum on July 15. He advised firms to implement basic compliance programmes, such as having essential paperwork in order. With these processes in place, he said 'you've already completed 90 per cent of the work' to ready oneself for the new era of tariffs.
Tatler Asia
6 days ago
- Business
- Tatler Asia
Malaysia and Singapore's Art Deco legacy: Buildings that tell stories
Above The former Singapore Civil Aerodrome (Kallang Airport, 1937) blends a streamline moderne exterior with various art deco details (Photo: Darren Soh) However, architectural photographer Darren Soh, who has documented Singapore's buildings for decades, notes an important distinction. 'The main differences between art deco and streamline moderne buildings lie mainly in the level of ornamentation,' he says. 'Art Deco buildings tend to be more elaborate, whereas streamline moderne buildings are sleeker, with fewer embellishments.' What emerged in British Malaya wasn't a carbon copy of Miami Beach or Manhattan Deco. Here, the style became something that was uniquely Southeast Asian—adapted for torrential downpours and the equatorial heat. Buildings featured deep overhangs, generous louvred windows for ventilation, and five-foot walkways that were already a set element of local architecture. Don't miss: David Rockwell on 40 years of global restaurant design: From Nobu to W Hotels and beyond Singapore: Preservation as national policy Photo 1 of 2 21 Carpenter by Woha Architects in Singapore (Photo: Darren Soh) Photo 2 of 2 The sleek interiors of 21 Carpenter by Woha Architects in Singapore (Photo: Darren Soh) On a narrow street in Singapore's Chinatown, 21 Carpenter Street exemplifies how careful restoration can breathe new life into art deco buildings. Four 1930s shophouses were amalgamated and transformed by Woha Architects into a modern hotel, while preserving the structures' distinctive features. Singapore's Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) has taken a systematic approach to conservation, with entire neighbourhoods such as the Tiong Bahru estate gazetted as conservation areas. 'For streamline moderne buildings, the way the lines flow on these buildings' facades makes them very visually attractive—like the lines on the facades of 78 Moh Guan Terrace and 81 Tiong Poh Road in Tiong Bahru, for example,' said Soh, pointing to buildings constructed in 1937. Read more: Mid-Century Danish Rattan: How iconic designs became Southeast Asia's everyday furniture Above 78 Moh Guan Terrace, also in Tiong Bahru, was built by Singapore Improvement Trust in 1937 and showcases the same architectural approach with its flowing horizontal lines and curved corners (Photo: Darren Soh) But Singapore's preservation record isn't unblemished. The Cathay Building, once Southeast Asia's tallest skyscraper and first air-conditioned cinema when completed in 1939, now exists only as a 'husk of a facade', according to Soh. 'In the 1990s, Singapore approached conservation in a very unsophisticated manner that unfortunately led to many cases of 'facadism', where only the old building's facade was kept and everything else behind it demolished,' he explains. Sometimes, the most remarkable buildings aren't the famous landmarks. Soh points to The Great Madras hotel in Little India, which was adaptively reused by Singapore design studio Farm from a former Singapore Improvement Trust 1940 residential building, as 'actually more visually interesting to photograph' than the more celebrated Cathay Building. See also: 9 greenest skyscrapers in Asia Malaysia: An uneven fight for preservation Photo 1 of 4 Recently restored as a restaurant called Peninsula House by Wunderwall Design, India House on Church Street Ghaut in Penang features classic Art Deco elements, including a curved corner entrance and decorative parapets (Photo: TWJPTO) Photo 2 of 4 Original window details and structural elements are complemented by a restrained material palette of whitewashed timber, patinated wood, and stone (Photo: TWJPTO) Photo 3 of 4 A key feature of Peninsula House was how the original metal framework was preserved with thoughtfully updated glass panels (Photo: TWJPTO) Photo 4 of 4 A repurposed jewellery desk finds new life as Peninsula House's bar beneath the loft-like ceiling space (Photo: TWJPTO) Cross the Causeway into Malaysia and the architectural heritage story becomes more complex, with preservation battles being fought block by block, often against daunting odds. The Odeon Cinema in Kuala Lumpur, with its dramatic vertical fins and stepped outline, recently escaped demolition and is being converted into a Citadines hotel. Yet the Rex Cinema in Penang wasn't so lucky; it was slated for demolition in 2023 despite local protests. 'The loss of the Rex Cinema is devastating,' declares Lim. 'BWM considers it highly irresponsible and ultimately short-sighted to permit the destruction of these heritage gems, when there must be viable alternatives.' Don't miss: Biophilic luxury: 7 stunning nature-integrated resorts Above Bangunan Sulaiman (1933) blends Art Deco with neoclassical elements through its symmetrical facade and geometric detailing, adapted for the tropical climate (Photo: iStock) In the heart of Kuala Lumpur, Bangunan Sulaiman's elegant four-storey facade still commands a fair amount of admiration and attention. Built in 1933 across from what is now the Majestic Hotel, its symmetrical composition showcases how Art Deco principles were successfully adapted to local contexts. 'Bangunan Sulaiman features a blend of art deco and neoclassical elements,' explains Widodo. 'Local architects adapted Art Deco by incorporating local materials and motifs, blending traditional elements together with modern design principles.' Widodo highlights other significant Malaysian examples: 'The Coliseum Theatre in Kuala Lumpur, Sultan Sulaiman Mosque in Klang and the Penang Masonic Temple are some notable examples of art deco buildings in Malaysia that demonstrate how this international style was interpreted through a local lens.' Read more: Home tour: Grand English-inspired mansion maximises stunning mountain views in Malaysia The economics of heritage Above The restored Art Deco building known as Toffee in Kuala Lumpur, designed by architect Tan Loke Mun, now houses the Ur-Mu art gallery (Photo: Lin Ho) Sitting in a beautifully preserved art deco building by Dr TanLM Architect now housing the Ur-Mu art gallery in Kuala Lumpur, a structure known colloquially as 'Toffee', it's easy to see the appeal of these architectural gems. But economics often dictate their fate. Most Art Deco buildings occupy prime locations in city centres, where land values make preservation financially challenging. Without robust heritage protection and enforcement, commercial interests often prevail. BWM advocates for a balanced approach. 'We do not believe in creating museums out of every heritage building, but in incorporating our heritage assets into the fabric of our modern built environment,' Lim explains. 'This necessarily means restoring the heritage infrastructure and adapting it for new uses.' See also: Home tour: A modern tropical Kuala Lumpur home with sculptural staircases and a four-storey climbing wall Above Hotel 81 Rochor on Jalan Besar, originally the White House Hotel (1941), preserves its streamline moderne design (Photo: Darren Soh) In both countries, successful adaptation requires finding the right balance. 'A good fit has to be found for any building that will be adaptive-reused,' notes Soh. He cites Hotel 81 on Jalan Besar as exemplary—originally built in the 1940s as the White House Hotel, it's still operating as it was intended. Widodo adds that the preservation challenges reflect broader regional issues. 'The challenges of preserving Art Seco heritage in Singapore and Malaysia reflect broader issues such as rapid urbanisation and economic growth, limited understanding and funding for conservation, and the need to balance development with heritage preservation. Both countries face pressures to modernise, while retaining their historical identity.' Don't miss: Malayan shophouses: The architectural heritage of Singapore and Malaysia The way forward Above The former Tanjong Pagar Railway Station (1932) stands out with its art deco ornamentation (Photo: Darren Soh) As developers continue to reshape Southeast Asian cities, the fate of these architectural treasures depends on finding innovative ways to balance economic viability with cultural conservation. Lim proposes a comprehensive solution. 'There needs to be a detailed National Register of Malaysia's Heritage Buildings, including their state of repair, which would assist Jabatan Warisan Negara in taking a necessarily more proactive approach.' Widodo emphasises that 'conservation is the management of change; it is not freezing the past, but maintaining its relevance to the present and future.' He further advocates for sustainable approaches. 'Successful conservation must prioritise sustainability and carbon neutrality. This involves using eco-friendly materials and methods to reduce environmental impact, implementing policies to achieve carbon neutrality through renewable energy sources, and providing financial incentives like tax credits and grants to encourage conservation efforts.' Read more: 7 designer dining chairs that you'll recognise from restaurants and dining rooms Above The old Asia Insurance Building (1955), now Ascott Raffles Place, features a distinctive three-tiered stainless-steel crown (Photo: Darren Soh) Meanwhile, Singapore is expanding its preservation focus beyond the colonial era. 'It is important that Singapore is starting to recognise more post-war architecture as important and worthy of conservation,' says Soh. 'If we do not start looking at conserving these 'newer' buildings sooner rather than later, there may not be many of them left.' As the morning light shifts across Central Market's blue facade, these buildings continue to tell a story of when Southeast Asia embraced modernity while making it uniquely its own. The shadows they cast today may grow longer, but with proper care, they won't disappear entirely. NOW READ Bill Bensley: Eco-luxury hotels' design rebel Private islands and wealth: How 6 tech and business leaders built their secluded domains Home tour: Penang bungalow transformation creates resort-inspired living Best of Tatler Asia video highlights Featured videos from around Tatler Asia: Get exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the interviews we do, the events we attend, the shoots we produce, and the incredibly important people who are part of our community
Sinar Daily
15-07-2025
- Business
- Sinar Daily
OPR cut boosts buyers' confidence
While this rate adjustment is a promising step, shifts in consumer behaviour and market response typically take time to unfold. 15 Jul 2025 02:02pm While mid-range and affordable homes may see the most immediate uplift, renewed interest in the high-end segment may also emerge, especially among upgraders or long-term investors seeking to take advantage of more favourable loan terms. - Bernama photo for illustration purpose only KUALA LUMPUR - Bank Negara Malaysia's (BNM) recent overnight policy rate (OPR) cut could create a more favourable lending environment and reinforce confidence for property buyers, according to PropertyGuru and iProperty Malaysia country manager Kenneth Soh. He said that while this rate adjustment is a promising step, shifts in consumer behaviour and market response typically take time to unfold. On July 9, BNM reduced the OPR by 25 basis points to 2.75 per cent, marking the central bank's first rate adjustment since 2023. - 123RF photo for illustration purpose only "This adjustment could mark the beginning of a more accommodating phase to support Malaysia's economic resilience. "With transaction volumes holding steady and buyer confidence gradually strengthening, the latest monetary move will likely help sustain positive momentum across the property sector,' he said in a statement. Soh said the lower OPR would directly alleviate financial pressures, making home loans more accessible and repayments more manageable. "Coupled with other measures, such as the Housing Credit Guarantee Scheme, the rate cut may coax hesitant buyers back into the market. Buyers who were on the fence due to steep mortgage costs may now see a realistic path to owning a home,' he said. He highlighted that the rate cut is an opportunity to rekindle sales efforts, especially in the mid-range and affordable segments where demand is expected to be most responsive. "Improved buyer sentiment and financing conditions may lead to an uptick in bookings and sales, encouraging developers to gradually roll out new launches or reintroduce existing offerings with more attractive financing incentives tailored to current market conditions,' he said. While mid-range and affordable homes may see the most immediate uplift, renewed interest in the high-end segment may also emerge, especially among upgraders or long-term investors seeking to take advantage of more favourable loan terms, said Soh. "Developers who offer value-driven products in well-connected, liveable locations will be best positioned to capitalise on this momentum,' he said. On July 9, BNM reduced the OPR by 25 basis points to 2.75 per cent, marking the central bank's first rate adjustment since 2023. This pre-emptive action comes at a pivotal time aimed at safeguarding growth amid moderate inflation, lowers the cost of borrowing across the board, and sends a positive signal to the property sector. - BERNAMA More Like This
The Sun
15-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
OPR cut boosts property buyer confidence in Malaysia
KUALA LUMPUR: Bank Negara Malaysia's recent overnight policy rate (OPR) cut is expected to improve lending conditions and strengthen buyer confidence in the property market, according to PropertyGuru and iProperty Malaysia country manager Kenneth Soh. He noted that while the rate adjustment is a positive step, changes in consumer behaviour and market dynamics usually take time to materialise. 'This adjustment could mark the beginning of a more accommodating phase to support Malaysia's economic resilience,' Soh said. The OPR reduction to 2.75 per cent, announced on July 9, is the first adjustment since 2023. This move is seen as a pre-emptive measure to sustain economic growth amid moderate inflation while lowering borrowing costs. Soh explained that the lower OPR would ease financial burdens for homebuyers, making loans more affordable and repayments more manageable. 'Buyers who were on the fence due to steep mortgage costs may now see a realistic path to owning a home,' he said. The rate cut, combined with initiatives like the Housing Credit Guarantee Scheme, could encourage hesitant buyers to re-enter the market. Soh highlighted that mid-range and affordable housing segments are likely to benefit the most, with potential spillover effects on the high-end market as upgraders and investors take advantage of better loan terms. Developers offering value-driven properties in well-connected locations are expected to capitalise on this momentum. 'Improved buyer sentiment and financing conditions may lead to an uptick in bookings and sales,' Soh added. - Bernama
