
Ministers Respond: No Personal Connection to Convicted Money Launderer Su Haijin
2025-05-06
Author: Nur
In a dramatic twist, Singapore's Ministers Ong Ye Kung and Chee Hong Tat have made headlines following a circulating photo linking them to Su Haijin, a convicted money launderer.
On May 6, both ministers officially denied knowing Su personally, emphasizing that their encounters occurred purely by chance at social events. In a statement from their press secretaries, they clarified that Su's presence at the dinners was incidental.
The situation escalated when images of these dinners, featuring Su, were shared online by former Reform Party chairman Charles Yeo. To quash speculation, the ministers took to Facebook, reaffirming their lack of acquaintance with Su.
Su Haijin, a Cypriot national, is at the center of one of Singapore's largest money laundering cases, valued at a staggering $3 billion. He faced multiple charges and was sentenced to 14 months in prison after being apprehended during a bold police raid.
The raid unfolded dramatically when Su jumped from a second-story balcony of his luxurious Bukit Timah residence as officers closed in. Authorities seized over 90% of his assets, totaling over $165 million, including properties, cash, luxury vehicles, and collectible toys.
During his court appearance, Su pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including possessing more than $1.4 million linked to criminal activities. He was part of a larger group of ten individuals implicated in the extensive money laundering operation, with varying sentences handed down.
In light of these troubling connections, the People's Action Party government reiterated its commitment to upholding high integrity standards. "Maintaining this standard is non-negotiable," the statement asserted, emphasizing the ministers' resolve to maintain ethical boundaries despite unintentional associations with questionable individuals.
As the controversy continues to unfold, both public interest and scrutiny surrounding the ministers' social circles remain heightened.