Senior MFA official Lim Cheng Hoe under CAD probe

[Akuma]

Senior MFA official Lim Cheng Hoe under CAD probe
Posted: 21 June 2012 1138 hrs

SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) says it has received information that former Chief of Protocol, Mr Lim Cheng Hoe, had made improper claims for reimbursements for expenses incurred by him during some of his overseas visits.

In response to media queries, the ministry said that it takes all allegations of improper conduct seriously. MFA referred the matter to the Commercial Affairs Department (CAD) for a full investigation on Tuesday.

Mr Lim was also suspended from all duties on Tuesday.

MFA said that Mr Lim has served the ministry and Singapore very well for 38 years, and that it is very sad that this has happened.

MFA added that it expects its officers to uphold the highest standards of duty, integrity and professionalism.

It stressed that no one can be exempt and the law must take its course.

MFA said that as investigations are ongoing, it is unable to comment further on the details of this case.

MediaCorp News understands that Mr Michael Tan is the Acting Chief of Protocol.

- CNA/ir

 

[Akuma]

Thursday, Jun 21, 2012
The Business Times

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Top MFA official suspended over alleged improper claims

By Kelly Tay

SINGAPORE - A senior official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has been suspended over allegations of improper claims for expenses incurred during overseas visits.

Chief of protocol Lim Cheng Hoe was taken off all duties on Tuesday and is now under investigation by the Commercial Affairs Department (CAD).

Responding to a BT query, a ministry spokesman said: "MFA received information that former chief of protocol, Lim Cheng Hoe, has made improper claims for reimbursements, for expenses incurred by him, during some of his overseas visits.

"MFA takes all allegations of improper conduct seriously. Thus, MFA has referred this matter to the CAD for a full investigation, yesterday."

As the ministry's highest-ranking protocol officer, Mr Lim was in charge of the MFA directorate responsible for organising ministerial and presidential visits, and oversaw policies on diplomatic privileges and immunities.

He also provided protocol advice in the organisation of international and regional conferences, and arranged state ceremonies and functions in Singapore.

While calls to Mr Lim's phone went unanswered, the MFA spokesman told BT: "Mr Lim has served MFA and Singapore very well for 38 years, and we are very sad that this has happened.

"However, MFA expects its officers to uphold the highest standards of duty, integrity and professionalism. No one can be exempt and the law must take its course."

Mr Lim's case is the latest concerning allegations of improper conduct by senior government officials.

But unlike recent cases where favours were allegedly exchanged in return for contracts, Mr Lim's alleged transgressions revolve around improper financial claims for reimbursements.

Just last week, former Central Narcotics Bureau chief Ng Boon Gay was charged with corruption, in a case where sex was allegedly used as an inducement for business favours.

Barely a week before that, former Singapore Civil Defence Force chief Peter Benedict Lim Sin Pang was charged with 10 counts of corruption relating to sexual favours he had received from three women seeking IT contracts with the agency.

As investigations are ongoing, MFA said that it was unable to comment further on the details of Mr Lim's case.

This article was first published in The Business Times.

 

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Singapore really sibei jialat liao.

 

[Akuma]

Friends question probe into senior MFA official's alleged misdoings

AsiaOne
Friday, Jun 22, 2012

SINGAPORE - A source told reporters on the condition of anonymity that it doesn't make sense for ex-Chief of protocol for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Mr Lim Cheng Hoe to have made improper claims for reimbursements incurred during overseas visits.

Shin Min Daily reported that the source said that Mr Lim is waiting for retirement, so it wouldn't make sense for him to have done such a thing.

His suspension and subsequent announcements of investigations against him came as a surprise to many who know him.

The Chinese daily quoted an unnamed ambassador interviewed by The Straits Times as having described Mr Lim as a good and extremely honest man.

The paper added that Mr Lim has been termed as a "legend" for his work in the diplomatic trade.

As of the moment, the Commercial Affairs Department (CAD) is unable to disclose the total amount of 'improper claims' allegedly made, Shin Min reported.

This is as the investigation is still under way, hence details such as the time and place of the alleged offences cannot be revealed as well.

According to media reports, the reimbursement policy of MFA for claims is fairly strict.

The officer must produce, for example, the list of guests as well as the receipt for dining costs to be reimbursed.

In addition, the protocol chief is usually accompanied by two staff officers, who are the ones who settle payment for the meals.

If there is enough evidence to suspect the misconduct of civil servants, CAD will launch disciplinary procedures, but if the behaviour involves criminal charges, it will escalate up to court, the paper reported.

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