CPIB deputy director continues testimony in Ng Boon Gay’s trial

SINGAPORE: The Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau’s (CPIB) Deputy Director Teng Khee Fatt’s testimony at the trial of Ng Boon Gay continued in court on Thursday, shedding light on the CPIB’s processes in the recording of Ms Cecilia Sue’s statements.

Ng, the former Central Narcotics Bureau chief, is accused of obtaining oral sex from 36—year—old Ms Sue in 2011 on four occasions in exchange for helping to further the business interests of two IT firms she worked for.

On Wednesday, Ng’s defence lawyer Senior Counsel Tan Chee Meng had pointed out that of the 10 statements Ms Sue had given to the CPIB, the first four said that she had consensual sexual relationship with Ng.

However on her fifth statement, she had changed her position to being "forced".

Senior Counsel Tan accused prosecution witness Mr Teng, who was in—charge of the investigations, of continuing with Ms Sue’s interviews to get "incriminating" evidence on Ng.

On Thursday, Mr Teng explained why they had continued to interview Ms Sue.

Mr Teng told the court there were many unknowns in Ms Sue’s first four statements.

These included tender processes, pricing decisions, the commission she received, and matters that surrounded the close of a tender.

Mr Teng said they had to continue asking questions to find out more.

In its re—examination of Mr Teng, Deputy Public Prosecutor Tan Ken Hwee said the defence had said that there was nothing to suggest oral sex between Ms Sue and Ng was forced.

DPP Tan then asked Mr Teng to read out passages of one of Ms Sue’s initial statements.

In those passages, Ms Sue said: "I allowed him to kiss me forcefully."

The court also heard she was restrained by Ng while in the car and could "not escape under that circumstances".

When asked by DPP Tan if that showed Ms Sue was willing or not, Mr Teng said it showed she was an unwilling party.

During the trial, under prosecution’s re—examination, Mr Teng told the court that he interviewed Ng on 9 March this year.

At that time, Mr Teng had told Ng he was being interviewed in relation to "the filming of obscene files" and the Official Secrets Act.

The witness had wanted further statements from Ng on incidences of sexual gratification he allegedly obtained but the accused told him he had already answered those questions in previous CPIB statements.

The defence objected to Mr Teng volunteering information not relating to Ng’s corruption charges. The court accepted the objection.

The defence accused Mr Teng of using pressure tactics on his client during an interview.

At that time, Ng told Mr Teng his wife would go "crazy" if the names of the girls involved (in the case) were made public.

But Mr Teng said: "It’s a totally different issue."

Later in the day, the defence took issue with the word "crazy", saying Mr Teng was the one who wrote the word in his station diary.

But Mr Teng stood firm and said Ng did use the word "crazy".

There was also contention over whether Ms Sue was willing to take the lie detector test.

The defence raised the point on Wednesday that Ms Sue was willing to undergo the polygraph test.

This, as Mr Teng wrote in his station diary that she wanted to do so.

But Mr Teng clarified on Thursday that he had missed out the word "not" when recording the entry in his diary.

When it came to the defence’s turn, a picture on Channel NewsAsia’s

website

, dated 2nd October 2012, was shown to highlight Mr Teng’s "unusual treatment" of Ms Sue.

The defence asked CPIB officer Wilson Khoo if it is common for a deputy director to accompany a witness to court as seen in the photo.

Mr Khoo said it was the first he has heard of this in his two years as CPIB officer.

He was also asked if it was common for a witness to have six bodyguards.

He said he had no comment.

The fourth witness — CPIB officer Bay Chun How — also testified, clarifying CPIB’s interviewing processes.

The prosecution has finished examining its four additional witnesses and it will wrap its case.

The defence’s case will then begin and Ng is expected to testify in court.

The trial continues.

— CNA/jc/xq