Ex—CNB chief trial to resume on Monday

SINGAPORE: Former Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) chief Ng Boon Gay is expected to take the stand when his corruption trial resumes on Monday, if the court finds there is a case for him to answer to.

Earlier in November, the defence asked to drop the charges against Ng after the prosecution wrapped up its case in the sex—for—contracts case.

46—year—old Ng is accused of obtaining sexual gratification from IT sales executive Cecilia Sue on four occasions in 2011, in exchange for furthering her employers’ business interests.

At the wrap of prosecution’s case on 2 November, defence counsel Tan Chee Meng said the prosecution’s case is riddled with problems.

He said it is a state "that does not require rebuttal" as "it simply cannot form the basis of any conviction".

He told the court the problem lies with the evidence of key prosecution witness, Ms Cecilia Sue, which he described as "fraught with inconsistencies".

Another problem stems from Ms Sue’s evidence that Ng never obtained the sexual gratification he allegedly wanted from her.

"If no gratification was given, how could there have been any corruption?" asked Mr Tan.

He pointed out that evidence introduced so far showed that when the business interests of Oracle Singapore could have been furthered, Ms Sue had not asked or expected any favour from Ng.

Ms Sue worked for Oracle Singapore and Hitachi Data Systems.

As at December 2011, there was no business relationship between Oracle Singapore and CNB, or that the bureau’s IT team was considering any proposal from Oracle.

As for Hitachi Data Systems, the defence said the decision to use its product was made in March last year, with all proper processes followed.

There was no suggestion of impropriety on Ng’s part.

The defence said these made the prosecution’s case "undesirably weak" and the only evidence regarding corruption is so "manifestly unreliable" that the court should dismiss the charges against Ng.

The prosecution is to submit its responses on Monday when the trial resumes.

Previously, it said that according to the defence’s submissions, sexual gratification is not gratification if it is not satisfying.

Lead prosecutor Tan Ken Hwee said in that same line of argument, the corrupt acceptance of an expensive meal is then not seen as corruption, if it is not satisfying.

The prosecution also said that the defence is attempting to re—write corruption law and said that it will address this in its submissions.

In the first nine days of the 18—day trial, the prosecution introduced nine witnesses, including Ms Sue.

— CNA/xq